Pirates drop close decision to Leopards 28-20

By Cory Smith

cory@campcountynow.com

 

The Pirates entered last Friday night with a 1-0 record in district play and knew coming in they would be tested by an athletic Liberty Eylau team. 

Pittsburg would defer to the second half, so they sent the ball flying high on the kickoff to the Leopards, who returned the ball to their 30 yard line. Liberty Eylau (LE) wasted no time and busted two big run plays on the Pirate defense. Bradlee Warrick got into the backfield for the Pirates and took down the LE ball carrier, which helped for the Leopards into a third and long situation. On the third down snap, the LE quarterback surveyed the field and delivered a screen pass to the LE tailback who took the ball down to the Pirate 22 yard line. LE would capitalize on the next play and get across the goal line for a touchdown. After the extra point, the score was 7-0 LE with 10:23 left in the first quarter. For the second consecutive game, Billy Kimble would be at the helm of the Pirate offense and he would have 130 yards passing on the night. Pittsburg would get off to a slow start on their first possession, going threeand- out and have to punt the ball back to LE.

The Pirate defense got back in the groove and stonewalled the Leopard drive, to force LE to punt the ball right back to the Pirates, who would take over on their own 7 yard line. Backed up deep in their own territory, Pittsburg would come up just short of the line to gain and once again have to punt the ball back to LE. Much of the first half was reflective of a defensive battle, with both teams not giving an inch on defense, which resulted in a punting fest. LE took over on the Pittsburg 40 and on LE’s first play, they nearly made a costly mistake.

At the snap, the Leopard quarterback pivoted and handed the ball to the running back who coughed up the ball. After a small melee on the ground, LE recovered and retained possession, but couldn’t capitalize on the series and punted the ball back to the Pirates.

On the next Pirate possession, they would capitalize and make their way into the end zone by way of a touchdown run from Dejour Dowell. None of that would’ve happened though had Pittsburg not made a gutsy call on fourth down to fake the punt and go for the first down. After the touchdown and extra point, the game was tied 7-7.

 

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