WHITWELL, Tenn. — With early momentum beginning to shift toward the home sideline Friday night, visiting South Pittsburg needed just one play — a bolt of lightning in a No. 2 jersey — to regain the lead and, ultimately, control of the Region 3-1A standings.
After Whitwell evened the score at 7 on the first play of the second quarter, South Pittsburg quarterback Kamden Wellington connected on a short pass to Racash Kelly, who raced past the pursuit along the home sideline for a 55-yard touchdown.
The Pirates went on to score on three of their next five possessions and also added a defensive touchdown in pulling away for a 40-15 win.
“When they scored, we knew we had to keep pushing and make a play,” said Wellington, who was 8-of-14 passing for 208 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a score. “We were pretty happy about that play. It really got us going, and we felt like we could tire them out.”
After Wellington opened the game with a 28-yard touchdown toss to Nas Starkey, South Pittsburg elected to go for it on fourth-and-4 from its own 31-yard line, and the Whitwell defense stuffed the play for no gain.