Pirates lose heartbreaker to Pleasant Grove 26-25

By Cory Smith

cory@campcountynow.com

 

The Pirates took the field last Friday night for the season opener against Pleasant Grove in a game that would turn out to be a barnburner. Defense was the Pirates specialty, especially in the first quarter as Frezarian Harrison (28) would recover two fumbles, returning one for a touchdown. After Harrison ran in the fumble recovery, the Pirates would covert a two point try by way of Tre Walker (5) which made it 8-0 Pittsburg with 7:40 left in the first.

After giving up an interception, the Pirates got the ball back by recovering another fumble for a touchdown, and kicker, Jose Garcia nailed the extra point to make it 15-0 Pittsburg with 5:21 left in the first.

Pleasant Grove would stay true to their system and march down the field and cap the drive with a 13 yard touchdown run by fullback, Hunter Hatfield making it 15-7 Pittsburg after the extra point conversion with 3:50 left in the first.

The second quarter would be a back and forth Pirates lose heartbreaker to Pleasant Grove 26-25 battle with both teams trading scores. With 8:03 left in the second, Walker busted a 74 yard run which eventually set up Jose Garcia with a field goal to make it 18-7 Pittsburg with seven minutes to go in the second. Again, Pleasant Grove would not shy away and use their Wing-T offense to their advantage and methodically drive down the field with a culminating touchdown and extra point conversion to make it 18-14 Pittsburg with 4:50 left in the first half of play. The Pirates would make a change at quarterback to begin the second half, brining in Caleb Banks (16) to take over as the signal caller. Banks would rifle a 27 yard pass right after coming in to give a bolt of energy to the Pirates. After much of the third quarter had expired, without either team giving an inch, Pleasant Grove was able to add to their score by notching a field goal with six minutes to go in the third quarter. At the end of the third, the score would remain 18-17 with Pittsburg holding on to a one point advantage. Early in the fourth, Pleasant Grove would rely on their Wing-T offense and fullback Hunter Hatfield to drive the ball down the field against the Pirate defense and put the ball through the uprights for a Pleasant Grove field goal with 11:29 left in the fourth, making the score 20-18 Pleasant Grove. At the 10:41 mark, the Pirates would get a spark  from Sir Charles Perkins who caught a pass and ran up the sideline for a Pirate touchdown and the Pirates would retake the lead 25-20. Pittsburg would turn the ball over by way of a fumble that was recovered by Pleasant Grove with 9:42 left in the game. The Hawks paced down the field bleeding the clock down to 3:43 before they punched in another touchdown to make it 26-25 Pleasant Grove. The Pirates would have their last chance backed up deep in their own territory and were unable to make a comeback and ran out of time. The final score would be 26-25 Pleasant Grove. Running back, Walker,had 17 carries on the night for 110 rushing yards with a long of 74 yards. Perkins would follow suit with five carries for 53 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Lafayette would lead the receiving corps with one reception for 27 yards on the night. Pittsburg will take on Gladewater next Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Jack V. Murphy Stadium.

 

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