Sports

The Lady Pirates and the Pirates competed in the Pine Tree cross country race this last weekend, Saturday, Sept. 23 at Katy Ranch. In the girls two miles, Sadie Waldrep medaled with a time of 13:31.99, and Haley Efurd medaled with a time of 14:01.49.In the boys three mile race Troy Segura medaled with a time of 18:05.8 and Kevin Ramirez medaled with a time of 19:02.42. Pictured from left to right are medalist: Haley Efurd, Kevin Ramirez, Troy Segura and Sadie Waldrep.

The Lady Pirate freshman competed in the Texas High freshman tournament Saturday, Sept. 9. After losing to Avery, the fish defeated Arkansas High and Redwater, to claim third place and the consolation trophy

By ELLIS KNOX

The hometown Pirates visited the Pirates of Pine Tree high school in Longview last Friday night, Sept.

8. This was not the same team the hometown Pirates defeated 51 to 23 last year, that team had a new head coach, coaching staff, new system and seemingly no plan. This Pine Tree team had a plan and were determined to execute that plan upon the home town Pirates.

Pine Tree took the opening kick-off but the Pirate defense forced a punt and Pitt drove down to the goal and Pine Tree held the goal line for a no score. Pine Tree took over on downs, the ball passed back and forth between the two, then with less than two minutes to go in the first quarter Pine Tree scored, Pitt 0-Pine Tree 7.

Pitt came back with a score with less than one minute to go in the first quarter as quarterback Jaylon Jimmerson dashed 15 yards for the touchdown and Alex Rodriguez extra point kick was good, Pitt 7-Pine Tree 7.

The Pittsburg High School’s new Media Department has announced its 2017 film crew. During the home games Jackson Boyd will act as producer and the student camera operators will take their direction via a radio headset from Boyd and Daisy Portillo. Portillo will operate the video mixing board, from the mixing board the video will be transferred to the new scoreboard. Unfortunately, the UIL rules prohibit the school from providing live broadcast during the game or even replays to their Facebook page during the game.

“We will post the highlights of our Pirates’ games on the Pittsburg Pirates Facebook page. The video will probably be uploaded the following Tuesday or Wednesday after each home game,” Boyd said.

The first game of the season was the first win of the season, the first football game in the new home stands, the first use of the new ticket booths, and the first use of the new press box and band stand, and the new scoreboard as a scoreboard. All of these first seemed to have a successful outcome.

The only flaw seemed to be the new band stand as there was not enough room to accommodate the Pirate Band and their instruments and the drumline too. However, Austin Jesmore overcame the shortfall by putting the drummers on the track. How that will work in inclement weather is yet to be seen.

The Crandall Pirates were the same challenge they were in the last two years. They came to win, their line was big and their defense was all over the home team Pirates in the first quarter. Their linebackers managed to sack quarterback Jaylon Jimmerson several times putting the team in a hole. However, Jimmerson was able to pass or scramble his way out most times.

By COACH LORI SHAW and ELLIS KNOX

The Lady Pirates Sweep pool play and then dominate the tournament.

Pittsburg swept the competition on Saturday, not giving up a single set, to win the Pewitt Tournament. The Lady Pirates finished as runner up last year.

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By JENNIFER HAWKINS

East Texas softball represented itself well as American Freedom – Pride (AFPride) based out of Omaha competed in the United States Specialty Sports association (USSSA) National Championship 12 and under tournament, July 27-30 at Lear Park in Longview. The tournament kicked off on Wednesday evening with opening ceremonies in which the girls participated in the parade of teams, as well as a gift and pin exchange with other players. Pool play began on Thursday morning with AF-Pride soundly winning 7-3 against Texas Glory Adkins of Vargas. They returned Thursday evening to play against USSSA Pride 04 winning 5-0 with pitcher Grace Pippin throwing a one-hitter. Pool play continued on Friday morning against USSSA Pride-Sheeley in which AFPride came out on top 12-0. At the conclusion of Pool play, AF-Pride were seeded first going into bracket games having outscored their opponents 24-3.