Pirate defense showed its strength catching this Bobcat deep. The Miller County Pirates hosted the Early County Bobcats this past Friday at Pirates’ Stadium, and what a game it turned out to be! Pirates’ captains were Caleb Cunningham, Shaq Edwards, Jarrett Rahymes, and Juwan Jones and for the Bobcats, Quayven Levatte and Camery Flowers.

As the game got underway, the Bobcats booted the ball to the Pirates with Jarrett Rahymes on the receiving end, being brought down by a den of Bobcats at the Pirates’ 44 yard- line. First and 10, Caleb Cunningham connected with T.T. Barber, picking up six yards. Afterward, our boys went on to pick up two more first downs, but due to a bad snap on the fourth down, Bobcats took over.

The first half of this game was Bobcat and Pirate defense all the way with neither side of offense putting points on the scoreboard. The Black Death Defense led by Ty Sheffield, Alec Cobb, Alex Anderson, Adrian Hayes, Brandon Benton, Juwan Jones, Jacoby Jones, Marvin Grant, Shaq Edwards, Lee Nix and Jaquel Igles put pressure on Early County’s quarterback T.J. Allen.

Could get run over if you got in the way. As the first half came to an end, the score stood 0-0 with both sides of the stands cheering on their teams.

Once again the Early County Band and the Miller County Band performed superbly. It is always exciting to watch majorettes twirling batons. Also during the half-time show, our Lady Pirates’ softball coaches sold Pirate eye patches, Pirate bracelets, and several more items.

The Pirate fans never know what is said during half-time in the football players’ locker room, but whatever was said between the Pirate coaches and the Pirates’ football team, it got our team motivated and ready to play some offense. Miller County was the first to score with Cunningham handing off to Juwan Jones. Jones bulldozered over several ‘Cats while others were hanging on for dear life as Juwan stepped into the end zone to score. Touchdown, Pirates! The point attempt was short, and it was EC-0 / MC 6.

Gotcha, that’s about it. The fourth and final quarter was nerve-racking and exciting as the fans from both sides watched as the Pirates added another touchdown. The Bobcats booted the pig with Juwan Jones receiving. Jones broke out like a thoroughbred, zigzagging down to the end zone again. The two point conversion was no good, but the Pirates were up 12-0.

Once again the Black Death Defense came on stronger than ever as the Bobcats felt the pressure from several defensive Pirates. Early County’s second string quarterback had come in at the beginning of the second half, and he threw a pass right into the arms of Shaq Edwards.

It was first and 10 from the Bobcats’ 14 yard line, Caleb Cunningham went to the air, and it looked as if it was a complete pass, but the officials begged to differ. So second and 10, Cunningham made sure it was right this time, Caleb handed off to T.T. Barber. Barber broke through a wall of Bobcats to score. Touchdown, Pirates! Senior-Brian Lovering booted the pig between the goal posts for the point attempt. The Pirates were up 19-0, but this is where it got scary.

Early County scored next with Jonathan Taylor, and their point attempt being on target. The score stood Early County 7 to Miller County’s 19. Time was ticking away as the Pirates attempted to gain yardage and add points to the board, but flags were plenty, causing the Pirates to boot away. Early County scored again on their next drive with Camery Flowers, but the point attempt was broken up by several Pirates.

T.T. Barber carried the pig the majority of the game, and Shaq Edwards had two interceptions and 10 tackles. The Pirates played with pride and spirit, and the Pirate fans could feel it in the stands.

The victory was so sweet for one of the oldest rivalries in this area.

The Pirates will face Northview High School Cougars from Dothan, AL, this Friday night at 8:00 p.m. at Pirate Stadium. Go, Pirates!

See over 270 photos of the game on our website in Dot Photos