Region 3-1A // Beene Stadium, 717 Elm Ave., South Pittsburg, TN 37380
At the helm
Vic Grider
(192-49 in 18 years here and overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Pirates return 5 off., 4 def. starters.
Super powers
This is likely the deepest group of linemen the Pirates have had in program history. Grider confirmed they can go two deep at every line position without much of a drop in talent because of the size and athletic ability in the group, led by senior G Hayden Branham (5-11, 200) and junior two-way T Cooper Stewart (6-2, 240).
Possible kryptonite
The player expected to make QB a team strength for the next two years transferred out of the program last spring, leaving coaches to open the position to a competition between two youngsters. Whoever wins the job - sophomore Jaylyn Hubbard, a RB last season, or freshman Brayden Sanders - will be inexperienced and will need to rely on the surrounding talent until he catches up to game speed at the position.
Spidey sense tingling
Despite the question at QB, the Pirates are loaded at every other position and expect to make yet another deep playoff run. They were up two touchdowns early in last year's semifinal but lost, and that experience and disappointment have pushed offseason workouts. The line strength and backfield talent should make the Pirates one of the favorites again in 1A.
Here I come to save the day!
Even with all the talent around him, there were times WR/KR Cade Kennemore (5-10, 160) simply took over games for the Pirates last season. Coaches certainly will find plenty of ways to get the ball in his hands again this year. Senior RB/LB Sawyer Kelley (5-11, 175) is an all-state talent on both sides of the ball, and junior FB/LB Garrett Raulston (6-2, 230) could be in for a breakout season.
Up, up and away!
The Pirates have taken one step closer to returning to the state title game each of the two years since Grider returned to coaching his alma mater. The talent is there to clear that final hurdle this year, but as is the case with most 1A teams, staying healthy will be the biggest key. Although both QBs are inexperienced, they're both very talented. Hubbard becomes an extra RB when the ball is in his hands, and Sanders could develop into one of the better passers the team has had.
"I feel good about how both of them have progressed," Grider said. "It's just a matter of getting them both some game experience, but I feel like either one can handle the job just fine."
The biggest reason for such optimism is the fact that both QBs can simply manage games early and let the surrounding talent - RBs Kelley, Raulston and Ronto Tipton and WR Kennemore - carry the offensive load. The strength up front is the biggest reason for Grider's confidence this year. Besides Branham and Stewart, junior Grayson Lawson (6-2, 240), who sat out last year after transferring in, looks to be a solid addition on both sides of the ball.
"We haven't had this much depth in our line, and that's where you can wear on people and win games," Grider added. "We've just got to stay healthy, but I like the attitude this team has already."
2016 Results
Aug. 19 Sequatchie County lost, 27-20
Aug. 26 Bledsoe County won, 40-7
Sep. 9 Marion County won, 24-17
Sep. 16 Copper Basin won, 55-6
Sep. 23 Grundy County won, 45-0
Sep. 30 Sale Creek won, 56-0
Oct. 7 Whitwell won, 50-24
Oct. 14 Lookout Valley won, 54-0
Oct. 21 Boyd-Buchanan won 52-19
Oct. 28 Grace Academy won, 53-14
Nov. 4 Cornersville won, 62-12 (first round)
Nov. 11 Fayetteville won, 42-0 (second round)
Nov. 18 Columbia Academy won, 56-20 (quarterfinals)
Nov. 25 Greenback lost, 42-27 (semifinals)
12-2, 5-0 Region 3-1A
2017 Schedule
(All times 8 Eastern unless noted)
Aug. 18 Sequatchie County
Aug. 25 at Boyd-Buchanan, 7:30
Sep. 1 vs. Sale Creek
at Finley Stadium , 7:30
Sep. 8 at Marion County
Sep. 22 Lipscomb Academy
Sep. 29 at Copper Basin, 7:30
Oct. 6 East Atlanta
Oct. 13 Whitwell
Oct. 20 at Goodpasture
Oct. 27 Lookout Valley
Region 3-1A games in bold