SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES
Head coach: Vic Grider (219-52 in 21 years here and overall)
Returning starters: 4 offensive; 2 defensive
Key players: QB Brayden Sanders (6-0, 175); RB Hunter Frame (6-0, 170); RB DeAndre Kelly (6-0, 190); OL Jared Stone (5-11, 220); DE Jamal Allen (6-2, 200); TE Ryan Cagle (6-4, 220); WR/LB Reggie Hunter (6-4, 200); QB/FS Richard Hunter (6-1, 185); OL Richardo “Papa” Frazier (6-8, 325); TE/LB Andrew Jenkins (6-2, 210); DT Giovanni Davis (6-4, 280); LB J.J. Beene (5-10, 175).
Team strengths: There is speed and depth at every skill position as well as in the back end of the defense, which should help offset an inexperienced group of linemen.
Team concerns: Only two starters – Stone at guard and Cagle at tight end – return on the offensive line, and that group is not only inexperienced but also not as deep as in recent years.
Breakout candidate: Kelly rushed for more than 800 yards and scored 19 touchdowns last year in more of a supporting role, but now the junior will be counted on to use his size and speed to become the program’s next star runner.
Season outlook: It’s been seven years since the program’s last appearance in a state title game – an eternity for the football-crazed community. Despite compiling a 48-6 record over the past four seasons, the Pirates have hit a roadblock in the semifinals in three of those years, including a heartbreaking one-point loss last season.
The talent is again there to be a favorite in Class 1A, but there are questions to be answered – including how quickly a group of newcomers adapt to first-year defensive coordinator Brad Waggoner’s scheme, and if a thin and inexperienced offensive line can come together and stay healthy.
The amount of speed at the skill positions – Frame, Kelly, Chris Jackson and Jayden Mount all have game-breaking ability out of the backfield, while Kobe Cooper, Reggie Hunter and Jenkins give the passing game big-play potential – will be tough for opponents to match up against. Sanders missed last year’s semifinal loss with an injury, and keeping him healthy and on the field is another key for the season, because the strong-armed, three-year starter will ensure the offense has balance.
Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Hunter Frame is one of several speedy players South Pittsburg will count on to keep its offensive moving this season.