Coach Hardin and his Pirates had been locked in all week preparing for their matchup with Greenville. If the Pirates won, they would make it to the playoffs for the first time since moving up to 5A.
Pirate Stadium was electric and filled with anticipation as Crandall ran through the tunnel to start the game. The Coach Lewis-led defense would take the field first ready to make a statement. On the first play from scrimmage, defensive end Dysen Hopkins forced the Lions quarterback to fumble! The ball was recovered by multiple Pirates.
The stacked Pirate offense had great starting field position on the Lions’ thirty-three-yard line. Quarterback Jamonte Gordon-West spread the wealth around the field before receiver Luke Moffitt lined up to receive the ball. Moffitt took a direct snap and ran it in from nine yards out for the score.
Crandall’s defense ran on the field determined to stop the Lions in their tracks again. Greenville had nothing going for them as Crandall forced a quick three and out. The Lions’ punt was downed at the twenty-four-yard line. The Pirate offense put together a fifteen-play drive that resulted in a field goal. Kicker Phillip Olivares nailed it from twenty-yards out to make the score 10-0 Crandall.
The Lions took possession of the ball on their own thirty-yard line. The pumped-up Pirate defense was ready to answer the call again. After two incomplete passes, Greenville’s quarterback threw up a prayer that was picked off by free safety Kase Mumphrey. The Pirate offense took the field in Lions territory ready to strike. West dumped the ball off to tight end Markel Robinson for a quick twenty-six-yard gain. Junior running back Chris Abron took it the rest of the way on a nineteen-yard carry to the endzone. The score after one quarter of play was Crandall 16 Greenville 0.
Greenville put together a good ten play drive that stalled after a penalty, putting them in a fourth and long situation. The Lions lined up in punt formation and ran a fake that failed on an incomplete pass. Crandall took over on their own thirty-five-yard line. The Lions defense stepped up this possession forcing Crandall to punt on a quick three and out. This Greenville series was their only scoring possession of the half. The quarterback kept it himself and ran it in from two yards out. The score at halftime was Crandall 16 Greenville 7.
The Pirates would receive the ball to start the second half. On the fifth play of the drive, West connected with junior receiver Samuel Omosigho on a crossing pattern for the fifty-three-yard touchdown reception. Greenville’s only score of the third quarter would come on their next possession. The Lions put together a nine-play drive ending on an eighteen-yard touchdown reception by their tight end.
Crandall would tack on two more scores off a fourteen-yard touchdown reception by Markel Robinson and a five-yard rushing touchdown by West. Crandall was leading after three quarters of play, 38-14.
Luke Moffitt would score his second touchdown of the game off a thirteenyard toss from West. The Lions would score once in the fourth quarter as well to make the final score Crandall 45 Greenville 21.
The dominant performance from the Pirate defense was just too much for Greenville this game. The Pirates forced four turnovers and only allowed two hundred and fifty-four yards of total offense.
With the win, Crandall secured a spot in the playoffs for the first time under Coach Hardin’s leadership.
Come support Crandall this Friday at Leopard Stadium in Lucas, Texas. Gametime is set for 7pm.
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