Pirates scalp Indians, 16-13
By: Glenda Bailey

Pirates move on the ground and in the air to stop the Indians' war path.

There was a beautiful harvest moon up in the sky before game time. Could that have been a sign for the Indians that the Pirates was on their way? The Miller County Pirates went to Seminole County determined to play four quarters and to bring back the bragging rights that has gone on between the Pirates and the Indians for years. It was a hard played game from both sides of the field. It was noted that the Indians would walk all over the Pirates; well, it did not happen - not this year!

Representing the Pirates as captains were Jeremy Grant, Alan George and Cameron Randle and from Seminole County, Tavius Williams, Bacarri Rambo, Jakenzie Jones, and Felipe Vega. The Indians won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. As the game got underway, before the Pirates could run two plays, flags began to pop out. Seminole County scored first with Bacarri Rambo's quarterback keeper, but Miller County's Cosby Salters shot the gap and sacked the Indians' field goal kicker. Unfortunately, the Indians were on the scoreboard, 6-0.

The Pirates had control of the little pig the rest of the first quarter and on into the second quarter with flags popping out like popcorn. It seemed that every time the Pirates' offense would get inside the 20 yard line, something would happen and out came those yellow rags. MC's offensive team drove down close enough for Chris Williams to kick a field goal, putting the Pirates on the scoreboard with the Indians leading by three at half-time, 6-3.

Again our Marching Pirates performed at halftime for the Indian and Pirate fans. The band played exquisitely. Band Director Richard Horne has worked diligently with the band, and it shows every Friday night at half-time. Great job, Marching Pirates! Also the Seminole County Green Machine half-time show was magnificent; watching the majorettes twirl their batons brought back memories of yesteryear.

As the three quarter began, Miller County was on the defensive end of the pig. The Indians picked up three first downs before scoring with Johnnie Jones' touchdown, which moved the Indians further ahead, 13-3, of our Pirates. Miller County's #51 Richaurd Sheffield rocked Seminole County's #5 Tavius Williams' world there for several minutes. The teams had to go to the sidelines. The EMTs were called out onto the field with a stretcher, but after taking a rest, Williams was able to get back on his feet. Shortly after, our Mighty Pirates answered back with MC's quarterback- Jeremy Grant tossing the pigskin over the entire Indians' defense to Cosby Salters. Salters galloped to the end zone with an Indian hot on his cleats. Touchdown Pirates! The score stood 13-10 at the end of the three quarter.

In the fourth quarter, it got a little nervous for both sides as each team drove down in scoring distance, and flags would pop out everywhere, causing each team to boot away the little pig. What happened next was unbelievable; Miller County had the ball and was moving down field. Each time Grant's pass was batted away by an Indian defender. Finally, Grant slipped the pigskin to Shawndre Sheffield, Sheffield with a host of Indians hot on his cleats broke for the end zone for another Pirate touchdown.

The scoreboard showed a little over a minute left in the fourth quarter. Seminole County was driving down field, trying to get in scoring distance of maybe booting a field goal or trying for a touchdown, but a Black Death Defender by the name of Trez Morgan intercepted Bacarri Rambo's pass, and the Seminole County Indians' dreams of holding the bragging rights of 2007 ended. The final score stood 16-13 in the Miller County Pirates' favor.

It was a great team effort from both teams. This game brought back memories when our Pirates went to the third round of play-offs and played Washington-Wilkes back in December 3, 1999. The Pirate fans are proud of our coaches and our boys, but we cannot take anything away from Coach Alan Ingram. He is a dynamic coach which has been proven by his past years at MCHS

The entire Miller County side was up on their feet cheering for our team with our cheerleaders and Marching Pirates Band. In a quick interview with Assistant Coach Richard Griffin, he stated, "We did not come to Seminole County to do any minnow fishing; we came to catch the big one!" Coach Killingsworth stated that he was proud of the boys because they came out in the second half and took over the pigskin on both offense and defense. I was glad to see all of the Miller County fans back out at the ball game, and I hope this is the start of something really, really big. I believe that the game itself and all the fans carry over from the excitement that was conducted Thursday night," he said.

Speaking of Thursday night, the Miller County Athletic Booster Club held a Pirate Palooza at Pirate Field with the burning of the Indian; there were several activities for the little ones, also some delicious food as well. Vince Widner, president of the Booster Club, recognized the girls' softball team, our cheerleaders, and our football team. Also our own Miller County Marching Pirates were there, and what a great job our band does every Friday night. They play some awesome sounds. What is football team without a band? Our band, along with the cheerleaders, gets the crowd up on their feet, so hats off to our Miller County Marching Pirate Band.

The Seminole County Indians had a total of 210 yards; in passing a total of 33 yards, they were 2 for 9 with one interception. In rushing, Seminole was 37 for 177 yards; the longest run was 19 yards made by Rambo.

Miller County's total yards were 306 yards. In MC rushing, Sheffield was 23 for 146 yards; Anthony Thompson was 2 for 7 yards with a total for MC 22 for 154 yards.

In passing, Miller's Grant was 5 for 12 with one interception. Cosby Salters was 2 for 82 yards with his longest catch 45 yards, Tony Grier was 2 for 59 yards with his longest catch being 43 yards, and Shawndre Sheffield was 1 for 11 yards, bringing the total of passing yards to 152.

Our Pirates will set sail next Friday for Atkinson County. Coach Killingsworth, along with his coaching staff, hopes to see all the Pirate fans there. The Miller County Pirates are 3-2 overall and 3-0 in Region 1-A. Go, Pirates!