2008-09 Miller County High School Football Team

The Miller County Pirates' first regular game was up in Albany, Georgia, against the Albany High Indians. In a quick interview with Assistant Coach Richard Griffin, Coach Griffin stated, "We did not come to minnow fish," and minnow fish they did not do. It is true that the Indians gave our boys a great game, especially the second half after all the rain that fell during half-time.

Pirate captains for the game were Dalton Snipes, Terry Williams and Chris Williams, and for Albany High, they were Kim Terry and Onterrial Martin. The Indians won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Our Pirates were ready to get the game started by receiving the opening kick-off with what appeared to be a short onside kick or an unsuccessful long kick, but senior-Nick Rawlings was quick to jump on the pig, and the game had begun.

Both teams took turns with the pigskin before MC quarterback Trez Morgan connected in the end zone with Jordan Kirkland for a touchdown, and Chris Williams' PAT was dead center of the goals for the extra point, putting the Pirates on the scoreboard, 7-0. It was apparent that the Indians had studied Miller County's Shawndre Sheffield. Sheffield was stopped several times in the first quarter, also with the pressure that the Indians were putting on MC QB-T. Morgan, it was fourth and long as Coach Killingsworth pulled a pig out of his helmet. Senior-Russell Hart, along with the punting team, set up on the field; Hart faked a punt and threw long to Cosby Salters. Salters scrambled down to the Indians' five yard line before being brought down by a squalling Indian as the first quarter comes to an end.

The second quarter picked up where the Pirates left off down at the Indians' five yard line. After a couple of plays, Morgan went to the air, but an Indian stepped in the path to receive the pigskin. Albany picked up three first downs before the Pirates' Black Death consisting of Robert Baker, Zenario Shuler, Cosby Salters, Jeffrey King, Juwan Jones, Tony Grier, Dalton Snipes caused a major fumble, and Miller County was quick to cover the ball. Each team would fumble as the rain began to fall to close out the first half of the game. The score stood 7-0 going into half time.

The half-time show was wet, wet, and wet, but our Miller County Pirate Marching Band did not one time give in to the drenching they receive while performing on the field. The Marching Pirates are under the direction of Band Director-Mr. Richard Horne, and the color guard sponsor is Mrs. Sheila Allen. The band is also under the field direction of Drum Major-Eric Lovering. The band performed the thrilling

Indians, 14-0 music of Video Games Live.

The Albany High Band also performed a tremendous halftime show as well.

The second half got underway with a wet field and some "antsy" football players. The

0 - - - -

Indians received the kickoff with Dontavious Brown receiving. First and ten from the Indians' 39, Brown again carried the ball and picked up about eight yards. On second down Brown again picked up a first down; on the next play, an Indian fumbled, and Miller County's Jacquel Igles was quick to cover the football. Miller County picked up three first-downs, the first one was when Morgan faked a hand-off and threw long to big Juwan Jones. The second first down was another long pass to Chris Williams, and the third first down was with Shawndre Sheffield juking and jiving to shake Indian defenders. Second and goal, Sheffield was again the ball carrier and scored a touchdown with a host of awesome offensive Pirate blocking. Chris Williams' point attempt was on

20 target, and the Pirates were up 14-0.

The field was wet and slippery, and both teams were fumbling throughout the fourth quarter. The Indians came within inches of scoring, but the Black Death Defense held the Indians to a nullified game as the final second ticked off the scoreboard.

The Pirates will host the Early County Bobcats here at the Pirate Stadium with game time beginning at 8:00 p.m. The Pirate team and cheerleaders, along with the coaches and the Miller County Marching Band, look forward to seeing everyone at the stadium this coming Friday night. Go, Pirates!