Pirates fall to Gators
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On Friday, August 15, the Appling County High School Pirates Football team travelled to Waycross to take on the Ware County Gators football team. The Pirates started out strong only being down 12-7 going into halftime, but the 4A Gators overwhelmed the AA Pirates and pulled away with a final score of 55-7.
The Gators were the first to get on the board with their running back taking off from their own 25-yard line and running all the way down to the endzone for a 75-yard touchdown. The Gators’ kicker missed the PAT, making the score 6-0 with 7:24 left in the first quarter.
The Pirates pushed down from their own 20-yard line during the remainder of the first quarter to the Gators own 4-yard line, where Pirate Jaiden Knight took a direct snap and ran the ball into the endzone for a touchdown. Pirate Kicker Alan Ramirez made the PAT, giving the Pirates a one-point lead of 6-7 with 11:54 left in the second quarter. The Gators didn’t wait real long to respond with another touchdown. After the Pirates kicked the ball to the Gator 25-yard line and stopped them there, the Gators drove down to the Pirate 34-yard line. From there, the Gator running back took the ball and ran it in for a 34-yard touchdown. The Gators had a bad snap on the PAT, and the Pirates stopped them before they could get the ball kicked, holding them 12-7 with 9:20 left in the second quarter. This would be the score going into halftime as the Pirates did drive down to the Gator endzone at the end of the half, but had the ball called back due to a holding call on the Pirates.
The Pirate Marching Brigade presented their 2025 show for the first time at this game during halftime. As always, the band did an excellent job and we look forward to seeing more of that show this season.
The Pirates received the ball during the first half and kicked to the Gators at the beginning of the second half. After the kick, the Gators wasted no time before getting their next score as they ran the ball 38 yards into the endzone for a touchdown. The Gators attempted a 2-point conversion on this touchdown and got the ball into the endzone, making the score 20-7 with 10:25 left in the third quarter.
The Gators received the ball after forcing a turnover on downs at the Pirate 46-yard line. From there, they drove down to the Pirate 27-yard line before running it in for a 27-yard touchdown. The Gators’ kicker missed the PAT, making the score 26-7 with 6:39 left in the third quarter.
The Gators would not take long to get their next touchdown after holding the Pirates to a fourth down; a bad snap to the punter Alan Ramirez would allow the Gators to recover the ball in the endzone for another touchdown. The Gators made another 2-point conversion, making the score 34-7 with 4:52 left in the third quarter.
The Gators made their next touchdown on a 38-yard pass to the endzone. The Gators’ Kicker made the PAT, making the score 41-7 with 2:02 left in the third quarter.
The Gators would score again in the fourth quarter with a 30-yard touchdown run. The Gators’ kicker made another PAT, making the score 48-7 with 10:35 left in the game.
The Gators would score the last touchdown of the game with a fumble recovery on the Pirates 27-yard line and running it back to the endzone. The Gators’ Kicker made a PAT, making the score 55-7. This would be the final score of the game as well.
Statistics:
First Downs: ACHS 16; WCHS 16
Rushing: ACHS 56/195/1; WCHS 16/292/5
Passing: ACHS 2/3/50; WCHS 5/11/108/1
Total Yards: ACHS 245; WCHS 400
Penalties: ACHS 3/26; WCHS 5/44
Individual Statistics:
Passing: Mikel Crayton made one of one pass for 49 yards and Jack Lee Courson made one of two passes for one yard.
Rushing: Jaiden Knight. Rushed the ball 22 times for a total of 91 yards and one touchdown, Titus Wallace rushed the ball three times for a total of 31 yards, Dareon Hood rushed the ball nine times for a total of 25-yards, Devonte Poole rushed the ball four times for 16 yards, Bryson Mickens rushed the ball six times for 14-yards, Reece Norris rushed the ball one time for eight-yards, Jack Lee Courson rushed the ball two times for six-yards, and Tylis Harrell rushed the ball three times for 4-yards.
Receiving: Cameron George caught his only pass for 49 yards, and Titus Wallace caught one of two passes thrown for one yard.
Defense: Javechez Johnson and Dareon Hood both had four tackles, Bryson Mickens had three tackles, Mikel Crayton, Devonte Poole, Jaiden Knight, and Edwin Burt all had two tackles each, and Cameron George and Titus Wallace had one tackle each.
The Pirates will be back on the road next week to take on rival Wayne County Yellow Jackets. Travel to Jesup next week to cheer on the Pirates as they take on this big rival. GO PIRATES!
