SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. – As unfair as it may be, Travis Millard knows the comparisons to his predecessor are inevitable. Following behind Mr. Football award winner Terrell Robinson is a tall task, but South Pittsburg’s senior quarterback brushed aside any lingering doubts about his ability to take command of the office Friday night at the annual Sequatchie Valley jamboree. Millard threw two touchdown passes, gained nearly 20 yards on his lone carry and won the longest throw competition at the annual Sequatchie Valley jamboree Friday night.
“Even though its just a jamboree, coming out here and playing well in front of so many people will definitely give me more confidence,” Millard said. “I know there are a lot of people out there who think I can’t get it done this year.
“This is a big deal for us to come out and prove that we’re still going to be good this year. I was glad the coaches let me throw a few times instead of just running the ball.”
Millard’s two TDs went for 28 and 32 yards to Antonio Chubb in a 14-7 win over Whitwell and he measured a 57-yard throw to win the skills competition. Pirates senior lineman Jakoby Reynolds had two sacks against Whitwell and won the fastest lineman competition and teammate Raquis Hale won the fastest back race as the Pirates swept the speed competition for the second straight year.
“He’s still kind of a work in progress, and he knows that, but he also has a lot of talent and he’s playing like a senior right now,” Pirates coach Vic Grider said. “We’re not going to ask him to do all the things Terrell did last year, but he also won’t have to.
“But we’re going to need him to step up against the quality teams and he’s proving himself capable of doing that.”
After waiting out a 45-minute lightning delay, Grundy County defeatd Sequatchie County 7-0 by opening the game with an eight-play, 70-yard drive capped by Destin Nunley’s 9-yard scoring run. Sequatchie then rallied in its second quarter of play to beat Marion County 12-0 on short TD runs by Randy Grant and Justis Stewart. The Indians’ second score was set up by an 89-yard run from Hunter Lewis.
“We feel pretty good about what we can do offensively,” Indians coach Chad Barger said. “We’re pretty solid up front, and we’ve got some backs that can go.”
Bledsoe County then defeated Lookout Valley 7-0 on a short TD pass from Cody Holloway. The final two quarters ended late.