South Pitt Steam Rolls McKenzie Towards 1A Title

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">It didn't take long for the Pirates to impose their will and when they did, they dominated the Rebels on their to winning yet another state football championship. It was an impressive performance from South Pittsburg and one where they clearly looked like the better team and possibly the better program. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It took one three and out by South Pittsburg offense to get their feet wet because after that, the Pirates steamrolled McKenzie, 0-0 to take home the Class 1A State Championship. The overall athleticism and team speed proved to be too much to handle for the Rebels as the Pirates flexed their muscles in a variety of ways in this commanding title game performance.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pirates went out fast on their first offensive series but on their second, all they needed was two runs from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134336' first='JaMychal' last='Buckner'] </strong>to get on the board and take the lead, 7-0. After forcing McKenzie to go three out, the Pirates and Buckner struck again. The senior running back displayed some strength on his 2nd touchdown score with his O-line helping push his way in.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holding a 14-0 lead, the Pirates began to force their will on defense and special teams. Linebacker <strong>Anthony Gibbs </strong>produced a fumble on the opposing kickoff return that pretty much set the tone for the remainder of the game. The Rebels started to gain some traction with <strong>Timmy Arline </strong>but could not reach the end zone.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior Mr. Football finalist <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577095' first='Dayon' last='Cooper'] </strong>flashed in the first half on defense as he picked off <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603459' first='Cole' last='Brown'] </strong>to provide great offensive field position. Everything from both sides of the ball was absolutely clicking and then the Pirates special teams said hold on, we want some too!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two-way athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675594' first='Brandon' last='Goldsmith'] </strong>returned a 63 yard punt return that pretty much broke the McKenzie back. Goldsmith used his speed, broke a tackle and then found his way to six to put South Pitt ahead 21-0. The Pirates were beginning to impose their will in every facet and the Rebels didn't have any answers to slow it down.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2075753,"width":"382px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.4993078479395165","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/IMG_20251205_171027.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2075753" style="aspect-ratio:1.4993078479395165;width:382px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Shayne Pickering , Prep Redzone TN</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just when you thought things might come to a pause, the Pirates continued to pour it on. After getting a few more defensive stops, South Pitt produced two more touchdowns before half. Buckner broke another long run to score his 3rd touchdown of the half then with 20 seconds to go, the Pirates staff called a flea flicker where <strong>Caden Jones </strong>found a wide open <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467318' first='Martavius' last='Smith'] </strong>to push the score out to 35-0.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this point, it was a foregone conclusion that South Pittsburg was headed for another state title but we still needed to play the second half. The Pirates came out of the break a little slow and a lot of that was due to Arline and the Rebels rushing attack. McKenzie got their first score of the game after Arline pushed his way in from one yard out and gave the Rebels some life.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was just a brief glimmer of hope as the Pirates got back on the board after a screen pass from Jones to Cooper, where the South Pitt junior wideout raced down the sidelines, past McKenzie defenders and into the end zone to push the score back out to 42-6. You could see the playmaking abilities with Cooper and why Power Four programs have interest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2075754,"width":"303px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.4993078479395165","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/IMG_20251205_171048.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2075754" style="aspect-ratio:1.4993078479395165;width:303px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Shayne Pickering , Prep Redzone TN</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we entered the 4th quarter, everybody knew South Pittsburg was on their way to winning a state title and adding their 8th “Gold Ball” to the trophy case. McKenzie was driving midway through the fourth but fumbled, however the Pirates would give it right back after <strong>Kason Brown </strong>stripped the ball away from Buckner. After two plays, the Rebels capitalized as Arline found the end zone for the second time, bringing the score to 42-14.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That would pretty much do it as South Pitt would pick up a few first downs and run out the clock. It was a dominating performance from the Pirates as they controlled the game the entire way and made McKenzie play from behind all afternoon. Both sides of the ball certainly brought it against the Rebels as they wanted to change their fate to champions after being a runner-up last year.&nbsp;<br>The Pirates do lose a few key seniors like Buckner, Jones, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134337' first='J.R.' last='Hardrick'], [player_tooltip player_id='1604399' first='Logan' last='Sisk']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480895' first='C.J.' last='Francis'] </strong>and others but knowing how the South Pitt program is run, I expect them to be right back in the mix next season with a strong cast led by Cooper and a contender to repeat as Class 1A champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1134336"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693368c6b0599"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Pirates needed their “star” players to show out and Buckner answered the call. This senior running back made his presence felt with a 9 carry, 181 yard rushing, 3 touchdown first half that pushed his team out in front by a three score lead. He would finish the 1A title game with 15 carries for 204 yards and 3 scores against the Rebels. Buckner put in great work on defense as well where he made several hard hitting tackles with a few of them in the Rebels backfield. It was an overall great performance from the Pirates senior and I think one that will boost his college stock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three Stars …….</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1577095' first='Dayon' last='Cooper'] - South Pitt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Cooper has a future in college at receiver but he can play some defense too, as he displayed in his team's commanding 42-14 win over McKenzie. In the first half to continue the Pirates momentum, Cooper produced an interception that showed off his ball skills. He locked down one side of the field for South Pitt but he also shined as offense as well with several big runs after the catch, including a 4th quarter 48 yards down the sidelines to put the game away.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘27 (S/WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1675594' first='Brandon' last='Goldsmith'] - South Pitt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Goldsmith had himself a strong day on the big stage as this junior two-way athlete flashed on both sides of the ball, including on special teams. Any hope McKenzie had at coming back was dashed when Goldsmith returned a 63 yard punt return for a touchdown and put the game out of reach from the Rebels. The Pirates made an impact on defense as well as he made several tackles in run support while tipping a pass or two in pass coverage. This is an underrated prospect that has physical traits and playmaking abilities that translate to the college field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) Timmy Arline - McKenzie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Rebels struggled all game to get any offense going but the only success they had was giving the ball to Arline. This senior running back didn't get going till the second half but when the Rebels staff started giving him the ball, Arline became a difference maker. The only two touchdowns of the night came from Arline as he helped lead his McKenzie offense on two long drives that finished in the end zone. If only the Rebels gave the ball all game to Arline, they might have had a shot at coming out on top.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - - <br><strong>Other Top Performers</strong>: (QB) <strong>Caden Jones </strong>- South Pitt, ‘28 (WR) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467318' first='Martavius' last='Smith'] </strong>- South Pitt, (OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604399' first='Logan' last='Sisk']</strong> - South Pitt, (OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1662846' first='Ryan' last='Toombs'] </strong>- McKenzie, (LB) <strong>Anthony Gibbs, Jr </strong>- South Pitt, ‘28 (DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1088079' first='Maddox' last='Shiell'] </strong>- McKenzie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2075758,"width":"345px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.4993078479395165","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/IMG_20251205_171039.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2075758" style="aspect-ratio:1.4993078479395165;width:345px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Shayne Pickering , Prep Redzone TN </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->