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Garrett Raulston scores four TDs in Pirates’ 33-7 romp [photos]

South Pittsburg's Garrett Raulston (9) follows his blocking for a big gain. The Whitwell Tigers visited the South Pittsburg Pirates in the quarterfinals of the TSSAA football playoffs on November 17, 2017.
South Pittsburg's Garrett Raulston (9) follows his blocking for a big gain. The Whitwell Tigers visited the South Pittsburg Pirates in the quarterfinals of the TSSAA football playoffs on November 17, 2017.

By Stephen Hargis 3 min read

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. – If the first round was a decision, the second round was a knockout.

Earlier this season South Pittsburg needed a late defensive stand to hang on for a seven-point win against cross-county rival Whitwell, but in Friday night’s Class 1A quarterfinal the top-ranked Pirates clobbered the visitors 33-7 in front of another overflow crowd at Beene Stadium.

“We thought it would be big to jump on them early and see how they’d react, and I thought those first two series really set the tone,” Pirates coach Vic Grider said. “Our kids were relentless, and I wouldn’t trade our guys for anybody’s.”

South Pittsburg (13-0) advances to next week’s semifinal at Greenback (11-1), the team that knocked the Pirates out one step from reaching the title game last year.

“We know all about Greenback, and next week’s game will be a grown man’s game. It’ll be physical for sure,” Grider said.