DUNLAP, Tenn. - In August 2016 the South Pittsburg Pirates made their way up Highway 28 to Dunlap and left with a seven-point opening loss to the Sequatchie County Indians in a season that ended for both teams in state semifinals.
Since that time, the Pirates have walked off the field victorious in each of their 20 regular-season games, including a rain-soaked 19-0 win Friday in their return to Dunlap.
After the teams traded punts to open the game, the Pirates took over at the Indians' 13-yard line. Three plays later, junior running back Ronto Tipton raced around left end for a 6-yard touchdown with 2:58 to go in the first quarter. The two-point attempt was no good and South Pittsburg led 6-0.
The Pirates' Brayden Sanders connected with Hunter Frame for a 60-yard touchdown pass play with 2:19 remaining in the first half. The two-point attempt again was no good, and the Pirates took a 12-0 lead into intermission.
Garrett Raulston, a Mr. Football finalist in 2017, capped a nine-play, 70-yard drive to start the second half with a 10-yard touchdown run. The extra point by Miles Walters extended the Pirates' lead to 19-0 with 7:29 remaining in the third quarter and ended the scoring for the night.
"I was really pleased with how we handled the conditions tonight," South Pittsburg coach Vic Grider said. "We didn't have a great week of practice, but we were focused tonight and handled the ball very well, especially considering all the young players we have on the field."
Tipton led all rushers with 72 yards on seven carries. He added an interception on defense.
For Sequatchie, Brett Hicks had 57 yards on 15 carries.
Contact Jeremy Jackson at sports@timesfreepress.com