SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. – There are times for fire and brimstone pregame speeches, but this wasn’t one of them.
With South Pittsburg just one step from returning to the Class 1A state championship game for a third time in four years, Pirates coach Vic Grider used the moments before the game to make an impassioned plea in the locker room.
After informing the team that Friday was his birthday, Grider issued a pregame speech unlike any he had ever given.
“I don’t believe in asking kids for favors,” he began, before his voice cracked with emotion. “But I love all of you guys and I love this program more than I ever have. So I’m going to ask all of you for one favor, and you have my word I’ll never ask you for another thing. Give me a shot to win another gold ball. Just give me that shot next week.”
With that, the Pirates left little doubt about who was the beast of the East in 1A again, steamrolling Coalfield with a 41-0 first-half barrage, leading to a 54-6 victory. Four Pirates scored first-half touchdowns and by halftime they had outgained the Yellow Jackets 320-93 in total yards, averaging 11 yards per play.