It was “Senior Night” for the Pittsburg Pirate Marching Show Band on October 16, and the Heritage Patriots faced a surging Pittsburg squad that marked the start of Bay Valley Athletic League play for both teams. However, the Pirates were clearly ready to start faster than the Patriots, evidenced by the final score Pirates 46, Patriots 20. Junior QB Julius Mozee threw for four TDs for the second straight week, and Pittsburg broke half a dozen plays of 20 yards or more in the first half alone.

Mozee connected with senior wideout Robert Jiles on a 44-yard “Go” pattern on the Pirates opening possession, giving them a 7-0 lead just over two minutes into the game. After holding Heritage to a punt, the Black and Orange needed only 16 seconds to double their lead, as senior RB Alex Foster found daylight down the right sideline and went 52 yards to paydirt.

Heritage got things going on its third possession by using a balanced attack on a seven-play, 2:29 drive that resulted in a hard-earned five-yard touchdown for junior RB Kruger Story. The big play in this drive was a pass from junior Brent Eikanas to senior DeShaun McCoy for 19 yards and a first-and-goal at the eight. When Pittsburg fumbled on its next possession, the Patriots had some emotion and momentum heading into the second quarter trailing 14-7.

But the Pirates held on defense, and a 33-yard punt return by Jiles set the team up with short field. They instantly cashed in with a Mozee to Jermaine Sims TD for a 21-7 lead. Heritage turned over its next possession on downs, and Mozee found Butler on a gorgeous screen play for a 31-yard score.

Heritage tried valiantly to keep pace with the quicker Pirates, and with 6:53 left in the half, mounted another response. After three straight Story, Jr. runs up the middle, McCoy swept right and weaved his way through defenders for an electrifying 49-yard TD.

That proved to be the last best chance to make a run for Heritage, as Pittsburg’s junior LB Willie Grisby returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards to the Heritage 28 yard line. Butler bolted up the middle to the house, the Pirates took the lead 33-14, and took the wind out of the Patriots’ sails.