BY JEFF CATE (TEAM FYN SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR) – The 100^th season of South Pittsburg Pirates football ended in a familiar setting, in the BlueCross Bowl championship game, for the 14^th time. And seven of those appearances have now resulted in a new trophy being added to the trophy case at South Pittsburg High School. The Pirates scored 2 touchdowns in the fourth quarter to knock off McKenzie 14-7 Friday afternoon at Finley Stadium.

Defense set the tone for both South Pittsburg and McKenzie in the first half as neither team could put a dent in the scoreboard, combining for 167 yards total offense. There were more penalty yards between both teams (74 yards) that McKenzie had in total offense (52 yards). Pirates’ quarterback Kamden Wellington came into this game with an ankle injury suffered in South Pittsburg’s semifinal win at Oliver Springs last week. That ankle was wrapped pretty heavily but the senior wasn’t about to not go in his final start for South Pittsburg, Wellington accounted for all but 44 yards of the 115 yards total offense.

The third quarter was highlighted by turnovers. A total of 4 fumbles, 1 by McKenzie and 3 from South Pittsburg on all 3 of the Pirates’ possessions in the quarter. The Rebels were able to take advantage of the Pirates’ second fumble of the third quarter and beginning the drive at the South Pittsburg 22-yard line. Tate Surber’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Jake Cassidy two plays later gave McKenzie a 7-0 lead.

McKenzie capitalizes on the SP fumble with this @tate_surber to Jake Cassidy 18 yard TD pass! Rebels lead @SPHSPIRATES 7-0; 5:46/3Q #OTB423 #BlueCrossBowl @OffTheBenchCHA @TeamFYNSports @jlsimsy @97_sports @CorePower

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Jamarion Farrior forced a Rebels fumble late in the quarter to give South Pittsburg great field position at the McKenzie 29-yard line.

The Pirates would face a 4^th and 1 from the McKenzie 7-yard line to begin the final 12 minutes of the season, getting just enough inches to pick up the first down. Wellington would roll out, trying to get into the end zone but was forced to leave the game with an injury to the ankle he was battling with since last week. Head Coach Wes Stone would send in Farrior to lead the offense and immediately stepped up when he rumbled in from 3 yards out, tying the game 7-7 with 11:01 left in the game.

@jamario39062769 rumbles into the end zone for @SPHSPIRATES! We’re all tied up 7-7; 11:01/4Q #OTB423 #BlueCrossBowl @OffTheBenchCHA @TeamFYNSports @jlsimsy @97_sports @CorePower

Jeff Cate (@TheJeffCate) on X x.com

The suffocating South Pittsburg defense, which came into the game giving up 61 points all season long, showed up once again on the very next possession, forcing a turnover on downs when Drew Chappell needed 2 yards on 4^th and 2 but got only 1 for the Rebels. The Pirates would then go on a 7 play; 46-yard drive that was all on the legs of Farrior, ending with his second touchdown run of the quarter and a 14-7 South Pittsburg lead with 5:31 remaining.

@jamario39062769 kind of drive for @SPHSPIRATES as the  take the lead 14-7; 5:31/4Q #OTB423 #BlueCrossBowl @OffTheBenchCHA @TeamFYNSports @jlsimsy @97_sports @CorePower

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Both teams traded punts until McKenzie had a chance to drive 90 yards to tie the game with 1:35 left, but Cavin Gilley intercepted Surber on 4^th down to put the game away.

@cavin_gilley with the interception for @SPHSPIRATES to put this game away!! #OTB423 #BlueCrossBowl @OffTheBenchCHA @TeamFYNSports @jlsimsy @97_sports @CorePower @gilley_rickey @SPCoachStone

Jeff Cate (@TheJeffCate) on X x.com

South Pittsburg ends the 2023 season 15-0 while McKenzie finishes the season 13-2

Final score: @SPHSPIRATES – 14 McKenzie – 7  number 7 for the Pirates! #OTB423 #BlueCrossBowl @OffTheBenchCHA @TeamFYNSports @jlsimsy @97_sports @CorePower

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