Pirates played a good first half, but were outplayed in the second half. The first football game of the Pirate season was a heartbreaker, but overall our boys played a great game. Pirate captains were Caleb Cunningham, Shaq Edwards, and Juwan Jones and for the Patriots, Marshall, Denmark, and Jackson.

The Patriots opened the game on the receiving end of the pig. As Brian Lovering booted the pig down field, a host of Pirates led by T.T. Barber was quick to stop the Patriots on their own 19 yard line. It took the Patriots two minutes and 13 seconds to drive down field and score from Patriot quarterback Marshall’s short pass to #4 Bugs Howard. The point attempt was good, putting the Patriots up 7-0.

The Miller County Pirates’ Special Team stood tall as the Patriots booted the ball with Miller County’s own #7 Jacoby Jones receiving. Jones picked up good yardage before being brought down around the Pirates’ 29. First and 10 from the Pirates 29, Miller County Quarterback Caleb Cunningham handed off to Juwan Jones, allowing Jones to powerhouse through several Patriots to pick up eight yards. On second down and two yards to go, Cunningham handed off to Marcus Bullard, allowing him to pick up enough yards for another first down. Barber, Jones, Bullard, and Shaq Edwards rotated carrying the pigskin picking up yardages and several first downs. Just inside the Patriots’ five yard line, Cunningham kept the sleeping pig home and along with the Pirates’ offense powered through to score a touchdown. Brian Lovering booted the pig between the poles for the extra point, putting the score tied 7-7 just before the first quarter ended.

During the second quarter, Miller County’s Black Death Defense led by David Sisson, Ty Sheffield, Alec Cobb, Alex Anderson, and Jakell Rosebrough came on strong pressuring on the Patriots’ quarterback. Jacoby Jones played a great defensive game against one of Wilcox’s receivers, keeping him from catching several passes. So Wilcox had to go a different route. With Wilcox first and 10 from the Pirates’ 21 yard line, Patriot QB threw to Milton Jackson for a touchdown. Again their point attempt was center, and the Patriots moved out in front 14-7.

Both the Pirates and Patriots rotated possession of the little pig with interceptions made by Patriots’ defenders and by Miller County’s defenders. Jarrett Rhaymes made an awesome block for Jacoby Jones after Jones intercepted a long pass from Wilcox’s QB. Marcus Bullard intercepted a Wilcox pass, and Alex Anderson was quick to get into the back field to sack the Wilcox’s QB, not only once but twice. Wilcox’s offense felt the Black Death Defense as the first half of the game came to an end 14-7 Wilcox.

During half-time, the Miller County Marching Band under the direction of our new band director, Mr. Brandon Tucker, performed superbly. Our band may be small, but it is loud and proud. Pirate fans salute our Miller County Cheerleaders for their hard work and to our new Pirate Mascot- Herman Kitchens. They have a new cheerleading coach, Mrs. Terrie Johnson, and her assistant is Mrs. Christy Whitaker.

The second half got underway with the Pirates on the receiving end. After a couple of exchangings of the ball, Miller County had control trying to move the ball down field. After a couple of costly flags against the Pirates, it was third and 18. What took place next should have been on ESPN Sports. Cunningham went to the air, and a defensive Patriot stepped in front of wide receiver Adrian Hayes. The ball bounced into and out of the defensive player into the arms of Adrian Hayes, allowing him to pick up a couple yards before being brought down.

On the Pirates’ next drive, yardage was nullified. Third and 9 yards, Cuningham scrambled to find Juwan Jones. TT. Barber made a block for Cunningham which gave Caleb the time to throw to Jones. Jones broke for the end zone to score a touchdown. The point attempt leaned a little, but the Pirates were closing in on the Patriots 14-13.

On Wilcox’s next possession, the Black Death Defense came on strong putting pressure after pressure on the Patriots’ offense. Turnovers were costly for both sides. With only seconds left in the third quarter, Wilcox County Patriots scored, and the point attempt was on target moving the Patriots up 21-13.

As the fourth and final quarter started, Miller County was on the receiving end with big Juwan Jones running hard before being brought down at the Wilcox’s 45 yard line. Next TT Barber was the ball carrier and was jumping defenders like jumping hurdles to pick up a first down. Fourth and five at Midfield- the Pirates’ Special Team was on the field ready to boot away the pig, but Brian Lovering the Pirate Kicker fakes a kick and airmails the pig to Juwan Jones. Jones runs hard to pick up a first down. First and ten from Wilcox’s 35 yard line, Cunningham hands off to TT Barber, barber breaks thru a wall of Patriot defenders to pick up 8 yards. On the Pirates’ next drive, Wilcox’s quarterback playing defense intercepts a pass and runs the pig all the way into the Pirates’ end zone for a touchdown. The point attempt was good and the Patriots were moving further ahead 28-13.

Wilcox’s Patriots scored again before time ran out, but their point attempt failed to way-side. The final score was Miller County 13-Wilcox County 34.

This Friday night will be our first home game and the Pirates will be facing the Early County Bobcats at Pirate Field. The Pirate team, coaches, band, and cheerleaders are looking forward to a great turn out of Pirate Fans. So come on out to the Pirate field for some dynamite football. GO PIRATES!