Pirates Fall to Patriots
by Glenda Bailey, sports writer

The Patriots were too much for the Pirates!

The Miller County Pirates hosted the Wilcox County Patriots at the Pirates' football field this past Friday night. The game was delayed approximately 15 minutes due to the lights accidentally going out, but as soon as the lights came back on the game got underway. Miller County captains were Allen George, Jeremy Grant, and Philip Mackey, and Wilcox captains were Victor Grace, Randy Denark, Perry Nez, and Sam Porter.

In the first quarter, Miller County was the first to score when quarterback Trez Morgan slipped the pig to Shawndre Sheffield. Sheffield broke outside and tipped toed into the end zone for a Pirate touchdown. The Pirates' touchdown tradition came next when Rodney Bryan's cannon was heard around the county. BOOOOOOM! Chris Williams laid the point attempt between the poles, putting Miller County 7-0 on the scoreboard.

Wilcox's offense answered back just inside the second quarter with a slant pass from Patriots' Quarterback Lorenzo Dennard to their wide receiver. Wilcox made good on their point attempt, tying the game, 7-7.

On this next Pirate possession, the officials left some unanswered questions for the many Pirate fans sitting in the stands as to what caused the Pirates to lose control of the pigskin ,but it was to the Patriots' favor. It only took Wilcox two plays to score with Dennard handing off to Porter. Wilcox's point attempt was on, putting the Patriots up 14-7.

The Pirates answered back, picking up two first downs with Morgan's quarterback keeper and Shawndre Sheffield. Sheffield was stopped just inside the Patriot's 10 yard-line. Next, third and goal, Morgan handed off to MC #9 Anthony (Tweetybird) Thompson to score. Again Miller County's point attempt was on, and it was a tied ball game, 14-14. But before the first half came to an end, Wilcox County scored with brother Lorenzo Dennard's pass to Alfonzo Dennard for a touchdown. Wilcox's point attempt was good, moving the Patriots out in front with the score of 21-14.

Miller County's Shawndre Sheffield had 149 rushing yards at the end of the second quarter; also Miller County's Black Death hung tough against Wilcox's offense.

During halftime, our Miller County High School Marching Pirates performed superbly under the direction of Band Director - Mr. Richard Horne and under the field direction of Drum Major, Miss Megan Phillips. The band performed selections from the 2006 Summer Blockbuster film, "Superman Returns."

In the second half of the game, Wilcox scored two more times. Miller County's loose pigskin was in the Patriots' favor to add points, also a long pass in the end zone. Both point attempts were on target for Wilcox, giving the Patriots bragging rights this season with the final score of 35-14.

Miller County's Black Death Defense led by Philip Mackey, Frank Jones, Juwan Jones, McQuel Sims, Jeremy Grant, Zenario Shuler, Robert Baker, Anthony Thompson, Cameron Randle, and Cosby Salters played a hard game.

Our Miller County Cheerleaders are doing a terrific job in keeping the Pirate fans CRUNK. They are as follows: seniors- Danielle Collier, Kristy Watson, Britney Franklin, Ashley Spooner; juniors- Cassietta Coon, Danielle Durham, Jordie King, Chelsea Larkins; sophomores- Chelsea Freeman, Jordan Foster, Le- Andra Kelley, Kyla Moye, Breche Roberts, Tarah Sloan; freshmen- Victoria Newberry, and mascot- Patrick Haverty.

This Friday night, our Pirates will travel to Blakely to take on the Early County Bobcats. This will be a tough game for our boys, so come on all Pirate fans; let get on board the Pirate Ship as it sets sail into Bobcat territory.