Pirates roll into state semifinals

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. -- For all practical purposes, the TSSAA's 35-point continuous-clock rule could be renamed the "Pirates rule."

For the seventh time in its last 10 playoff games, South Pittsburg invoked the mercy rule, thumping 10th-ranked Gordonsville 46-7 in a Class 1A quarterfinal. The third-ranked Pirates scored five times in five plays or less and will visit to fourth-ranked Knoxville Grace in next week's semifinals.

"We were motivated again, and this is a great feeling," said Pirates defensive lineman Jiajuan Fennell, a Mr. Football finalist. "We remembered how bad it felt to lose in this round last year, and there was no way the seniors were going to let that happen again."

These two teams have played five times in the postseason this decade, and similar to the 2007 meeting, Gordonsville scored first before being blasted. After spotting the Tigers a touchdown on the game's opening possession, the Pirates dominated both sides of the ball, outgaining Gordonsville 491-159 in total yards.

The Tigers had allowed fewer than 150 yards in their first two playoff games and were averaging 40 points in the postseason. Gordonsville used the wildcat formation to drive 68 yards in six plays, capped by Cody Woodmore's 42-yard touchdown run. But the Tigers managed just 88 rushing yards the remainder of the game.

South Pittsburg, which has outscored opponents 319-64 in the first halves of games this season, answered Gordonsville's touchdown almost immediately, needing just two plays before quarterback Terrell Robinson sprinted 59 yards to tie the game. On their next possession, the Pirates took just three plays to cover 55 yards, with Raquis Hale scoring on a 3-yard run.

Robinson gained 157 of his 163 rushing yards in the first half and also completed all five passes for 95 yards, totaling four touchdowns. Hale, a junior running back, added 182 yards and three TDs on nine carries, as the Pirates averaged 12 yards per carry.

"I am so happy with the way our kids responded after they scored," Pirates coach Vic Grider said. "We knew they might make a play or two, but our guys never got rattled and came right back and took care of business.

"I think a lot of that is a payoff from the type schedule we played this year. We've been tested."

Three of Gordonsville's previous losses came to teams in higher classification that were still playing in the quarterfinals. Once the Pirates were far enough ahead for the clock to run continually, the Tigers were called for four unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties on the Pirates' final drive and had two players ejected.