Pirates Spike Canes

By STONE WORKMAN

The Pike County Pirates sailed into muggy Rose Bowl Field last Friday night and for three quarters the Monticello Hurricanes managed to repel all boarders before losing their captain (QB Brady McMicael) and first mate (co-captain A.J. Thomas) to injuries.

The pirates won the battle 23-13 to remain undefeated in region play while the ’Canes will spend this week licking their wounds and preparing for the Raiders from Northeast.

The ’Canes kicked off and the Pirates began the first series on their own 31 yard line.

After an 11-yard pass gives them a first, their next pass is fumbled and A.J. Thomas recovers for Monticello on the Pike 49.

The ’Canes pick up a first down behind the running of Breaux and Thomas, but the drive dies on the Pirates 37 after an incomplete pass under pressure on a fourth and eight.

The next play the big Pike running back breaks three arm tackles and scoots 63 yards for the first score of the night. The PAT was no good and Pike lead 6-0 with 5:20 left in the first quarter.

The Pike kick-off was taken by Skyler Blankenship on the Monticello 20 and he bulldozed his way through the Pike defenders all the way to the ’Canes 45.

A.J. Thomas showed his running ability with two 14 yard gains before the Pike defense stiffened, leaving Monticello with a third and 21.

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The ’Canes tried a half-back pass that was intercepted by Pike on their own 15. After a 30-minute lightning delay, the first quarter ended on a high note for the ’Canes with a Freddie Marks sack of the Pike QB on his own 23.

The second quarter opened with the Pirates completing a pass all the way down to the Monticello 29. However, on the next play, ’Canes defensive standout, Billy Edwards, recovers a fumble stopping the Pike drive.

The ’Canes have to punt after making one first down and then Pike comes back with a fake short, go long bomb into the Monticello end zone for their second score and PAT.

The ’Canes started on their own 20 and put together one of their best drives of the season with McMichael, Breaux and A.J. Thomas having big plays getting Monticello to the Pirates 15. McMichael then rolls right on a third and 15, finding Chris Thomas for pay dirt and bringing the Canes to within six at 13-7 with 3:49 left in the half which was plenty of time for the ’Canes Lane Thomas to make an interception on the Pike 35 and run it in.

The PAT was no good so the score was knotted 13 all as the first half ended.

The second half began with Monticello starting on its own 36 after a run back by Breaux. The wet conditions plagued both teams, but it was Monticello’s turn to give the ball over on a fumble Pike recovered on the ’Canes 39.

The Pirates moved the ball to the ’Canes 11 before Stone intercepts in the end zone for Monticello. The ’Canes couldn’t move the ball and ended up punting with the Pirates starting their drive on their 40.

Seven plays later, the Pirates score on a pass from the Canes 32 and a 20-13 lead. The next series resulted in the loss of QB McMichael (broken index finger) and running back A.J. Thomas (muscle spasms).

The ’Canes never gave up and with backup quarterback Dee Chapman at the helm tried to bring the score even late in the quarter. On a fourth and long, Chapman’s pass was incomplete giving the Pirates the ball on the Monticello 14 with 3:04 left in the game. The Pirates were able to make a late score and the game ended 23-13.

“I thought we played well at times,” reported Coach Eddie Roberts, “but we made too many mental mistakes at crucial times in the game. We also gave up big plays on defense. I thought Brandon Barger, A.J. Thomas, Destin Breaux and Austin Pierce played well on offense.

“On defense, A.J. Thomas was all over the field until he was sidelined with an injury. I also thought the defensive line played well at times. We need to eliminate mental mistakes and improve our tackling.

“Looking ahead, Northeast is very athletic and fast. They are much better on defense than they were last year.”