Friday, April 19, 2024
CHARGE: The Pirates take the field for Homecoming against South Hills.
ONE-HANDED: Gus Hamlin only needed one hand to pick off this pass.
FUMBLE RECOVER: Augie Zapata comes up with one of the Pirates six takeaways.
BIG NIGHT: Jadon Rogers had a big night with 133 yards rushing and this 63-yard kickoff return.
Granbury had all the points it needed to win 17 seconds into their Homecoming game against South Hills, but the Pirates added 69 more in a 76-0 shutout of the Scorpions for good measure.
Granbury (2-1) scored a game’s worth of points in the first quarter with a 48-point explosion ignited on the opening kickoff return by Jadon Rogers, who raced all the way to the Scorpion’s 13-yard line.
The 70-yard return set the Pirates up with a short field at the Scorpion’s 25-yard line, and a penalty against South Hills moved the ball to the 13.
Quarterback Austin Jinkerson needed just one play to find Gus Hamlin and Drew Hamilton kicked the first of his 10 successful PAT kicks.
The Pirates’ offensive race was on with the defense setting up score after score by forcing a punt or taking the ball away on turnovers.
Walt Hartman’s 31-yard end-around touchdown run caught the Scorpions flat-footed, and on the next series, linebacker Tate Baker started the pillaging of South Hills’ offense with a fumble recovery.
Sophomore Augie Zapata would have the next takeaway with another fumble recovery, and before the night was over, Derick Lacy would recover another one for a touchdown.
The Scorpions didn’t find the passing defense any friendlier as Hamlin, James Byrd, and Mikel Scott pulled down interceptions. Hamlin’s interception was one-handed, with a receiver holding down his left arm.
Zapata’s recovery set up Jinkerson’s next touchdown pass to Crash Davis in the back of the end zone. Rodgers then sandwiched scoring runs of 24 and 47 yards around a Luke Stettler-Yates touchdown.
In the first half, Tyler Rogers finished off the scoring at 69-0 for the Pirates before the coaches met to discuss running the clock throughout the second half.
Ryan Baker would add one more score in the 4th quarter as Granbury’s starters were on the sidelines soaking up the adoration of their fans.
Granbury’s outside defensive combination of Brooks Pearce and Dustin Jones provided little respite for the Scorpions skills players, and Braydon Othoff’s presence inside left few avenues.
EARPLUGS NEEDED
Coach Chad Zschiesche complimented his players on playing a great game and showing class while enjoying 11 touchdowns, but he didn’t fool his players either.
“You all need to put in earplugs at school on Monday because you are going to hear how great you are,” Zschiesche said.
At 0-3, South Hills wasn’t the best opponent Granbury will face this season, and with the Pirates opening district play at home next week against Crowley, he wants his team focused.
It was a careful balancing game all week with Homecoming.
“There’s so many more distractions and things going on that a teenage boy can get involved in other than the ballgame. And as a leader, you just want the kids to have fun and enjoy the moment and enjoy the game and enjoy the week,” Zschiesche said. “But at the end of the day, you got to do your job and make sure they win.”
The scouting report indicated South Hills has many things to work on, and the Pirates proved
WHY HONESTY IS BEST
The time for making mistakes is over. Crowley comes to town Friday, and the Eagles have a deceiving 0-3 record that was put on them by quality opponents.
The Eagles are coming off a 28-13 loss to Birdville and lost a 36-33 squeaker to Class 6A Weatherford. Crowley lost its opener against cross-town rival North Crowley.
It could be easy to overlook the Eagles, and Zschiesche snapped the whip of reality as soon as the clock expired, and the postgame festivities were over.
“I’m very proud of our kids and our coaches and how we have avoided the distractions surrounding Homecoming,” Zschiesche said. “We came out and played like we practiced, and we had a great week.”
CALLING OFF THE DOGS
Getting your starters their game snaps and knowing when to call of the dogs is another balancing act.
“That’s an in-game git decision that we made at halftime tonight. You want the guys you have moving forward and getting their repetitions, and then you want the guys right behind them getting quality reps, too, especially in this day and age, where a kid can get sent home because of COVID,” Zschiesche said.
Game time for Granbury’s District 3 5-A Division I opener is set for 7 p.m.
Russell@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066 Ext. 231
