The South Pittsburg Pirates (8-4) fell to Columbia Academy (11-1), 56-28, in a TSSAA quarter finals game at Beene Stadium.
Both teams appeared unstoppable on offense through most of the first half as each scored touchdowns on their first three offensive possessions.
The Pirates opened the scoring with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Hogan Holland to Cade Kennemore.
However, Columbia Academy’s Taylor Thompson quickly responded with a nine-yard TD catch to tie the game at the
7:17 mark of the first quarter. The Mr.
Football finalist demonstrated his worthiness of the honor through the night.
The Pirates needed just one play – an 80-yard run up the middle from Joseph Lilly – to go up 14-7 just 15 seconds later.
Again, the Bulldogs from Columbia answered.
And so it went.
But once the Pirates scored on the opening possession of the second period to take a 21-14 lead, Columbia Academy’s defense found its footing.
Thereafter, only the Bulldogs were scoring points.
Columbia Academy tied the game at 21-all and took a 28-21 lead to the halftime locker room.
The second half belonged to Columbia Academy, as the Bulldogs outscored the Pirates 28-7 to seal the win.
Columbia Academy, which has been a road team through the playoffs, travels to Greenback (10-2) on Friday.
Greenback defeated Harriman in the quarterfinals by an identical 56-28 margin.