The silver trophy that has been displayed inside the South Pittsburg High School football weight room for a calendar year served its purpose.
Meant to motivate this season’s team as a reminder of last year’s disappointing runner-up finish, the Pirates completed their quest for vindication Friday evening with a resounding 42-14 dismantling of McKenzie in the BlueCross Bowl Class 1A state championship.
For the Pirates (14-1) — who continued this decade’s trend of claiming a state title in odd numbered years, joining the 2021 and 2023 teams — it was also the program’s eighth state title overall.
“We knew we needed to come out early and push the gas all the way because they’re a good team and we couldn’t let them hang around,” said Pirates junior Mr. Football finalist Dayon Cooper, who finished with four catches for 82 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. “All it takes for us to get going sometimes is just one play, because once we get momentum rolling our way and the adrenaline going we’re hard to stop.”
Against a Rebels team that had limited 12 of 14 opponents to 14 points or less, and whose only previous loss was to 2A state finalist Huntingdon, South Pittsburg wasted no time in draining all drama from the game. The Pirates battered McKenzie with a barrage of first-half big plays, while their defense was once again stout.