Small town, big tradition

The small town of South Pittsburg is best known for two things — the National Cornbread Festival that takes place every spring, and one of the state’s top high school football programs each fall.

With a population of just over 3,200, the tiny community clings to the tradition of supporting its football program each Friday night, routinely drawing more than 4,000 fans to Beene Stadium.

Although South Pittsburg High School has just 243 students — one of the smallest enrollments for schools with a football program in the state — the Pirates have won 52 playoff games, including four state championships. The team has finished as a runner-up three times. Last season, the team won the Class 1A title and are again ranked No. 1, having won 27 consecutive games going into tonight’s quarterfinal playoff game at Trousdale County.