New coach Tim Moore will be working hard to keep the South Pittsburg Pirates in their usual place as a playoff team.South Pittsburg Pirates
Coach: Tim Moore (first year here, 40-40 in seven years overall)
Last year: 8-4, lost 14-13 at eventual state champion Gordonsville in the playoffs' second round.
'13 dreams: There's a new coach and fewer than half the starters return from last year on each side of the ball, but expectations remain high for one of the area's most consistent programs. Moore played for South Pittsburg and understands those expectations, and with the return of Mr. Football finalist Jajuan Lankford at running back, and better depth in the offensive line, the Pirates again should contend for not only the district title but also a deep push into the playoffs.
13-for-13 contenders: Aside from Lankford (5-10, 180), who ran for more than 2,000 yards as a sophomore and more than 1,000 last year, junior Corbin Fitzgerald (5-10, 185) is a breakaway threat whether he plays quarterback or running back and senior Kahlil Mitchell (5-11, 200) should be a physical presence at both fullback and linebacker. Seniors Ricky Fehr (6-1, 265) and Kyan Mitchell (6-1, 245) will anchor both sides of the line.
Number of interest: 11. The average number of wins for the Pirates over the past 10 seasons. During that span they have played in four state-title games and lost in the playoffs to the eventual state champions four other times.
13 years ago: One year after having gone 15-0 for the first time in program history and claiming the state title, the Pirates plummeted. With the loss of 20 seniors from the previous year, the Pirates won just two games and those were wiped away for playing an ineligible player, leaving them officially 0-9 for the worst finish in program history.
Program superstition: As the Pirates exit their locker room before taking the field, each player and coach reaches up to touch the lucky horseshoe hanging over the doorway. When the team is on the road, they typically use tape to make a horseshoe shape over the door to touch.
1-through-3: New head coach Tim Moore
Q. What's it like coming back to coach your alma mater?
A. It's very exciting for me to know I'm coming back to coach on the field where I used to play. It's really an honor to be the coach here because it's one of the most solid programs there is. It fills me with pride to be here, and I'm looking forward to continuing the tradition the program has built.
Q. You won several state titles at BGA and coached at two other midstate area schools. What's the biggest difference in those programs and where you are now?
A. The biggest thing is the community is a lot more involved here. It's a major difference. They're so involved in every aspect, from making sure the kids have what they need for us to be successful, to lining up buses and meals. There's no shortage of people wanting to help our program.
Q. What's the biggest difference people will notice in you and (predecessor) Vic Grider?
A. I don't have much of a sense of humor. I'm very serious minded, and I'm always thinking just about taking care of the job. My wife says I have no sense of humor and I'm not the guy who tells a lot of jokes, and the players have already said that's different than how Vic was.
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 at Bell County (Ky.)
Aug. 30 Hixson, 8
Sep. 6 at Sale Creek*
Sep. 13 Sequatchie County, 8
Sep. 20 Whitwell*, 8
Sep. 27 at Grundy County, 8
Oct. 11 at Boyd-Buchanan
Oct. 18 Lookout Valley*
Oct. 25 Polk County
Nov. 1 at Marion County*, 8
- District 6-A game
2012 Stats
PASSING C-A-I YARDS TDS
Jake Stone 24-62-2 471 4
RUSHING ATT. YARDS TDS
Demetric Johnson 115 1,687 29
Jajuan Lankford 79 1,074 12
Corbin Hale 86 680 6
RECEIVING NO. YARDS TDS
Demetric Johnson 11 303 4
TACKLES SOLO ASSISTS TOTAL
Jake Stone 100 38 138
Corbin Hale 57 35 92
(NOTE: bolded players are returning)
Roster
No. Name Class
1 Kyree Pryor Freshman
2 Anthony Sellers Senior
3 Darnez Fitzgerald Sophomore
4 Corbin Fitzgerald Junior
5 Jared Jones Freshman
6 Jajuan Lankford Senior
7 Chase Blevins Sophomore
10 Kitt Grider Junior
11 Andrew Hawkins Senior
12 Joseph Lilly Freshman
13 Jeff Bennett Junior
15 Hunter Downs Sophomore
21 Payne Mosley Senior
22 Kyle Blevins Senior
24 McKenna Blevins Junior
25 Gage Phillips Freshman
28 Kahlil Mitchell Senior
30 Chase Frame Sophomore
35 Mitch Butner Freshman
42 Tristan Adams Junior
50 Ethan Moss Sophomore
52 Trabaie Conner Sophomore
53 Kyle Crouch Senior
54 Jay Riley Mayfield Freshman
55 Josh Long Junior
56 Stephon Mithcell Senior
57 Cooper Lewis Senior
58 Austin Abbott Freshman
60 Kyan Mitchell Senior
62 Ricky Fehr Senior
66 Cody Fehr Freshman
67 Kyle Channin Senior
70 Blake Ellis Junior
72 Cole Henson Junior
76 Sam Nelson Junior
77 Tommy Crouch Junior
78 Logan Kirk Freshman
81 Kavin Pryor Junior
87 Ryan Reynolds Freshman
90 Tylor Smith Senior
Head coach: Tim Moore
Assistant coaches: Wes Stone, Freddie Tidmore, David Hale, E.J. Bradford, Dan Tierney.