The Pittsburg Pirates marched into yesterday’s game looking to punch their ticket to the State Semifinal game, but the defending state champs had something to say about that. Pleasant Grove defeated Pittsburg in a Class 4A Division ll state quarterfinal matchup by a thrilling 44-41 score at The Star in Frisco.
Things picked up in the fourth quarter when Pittsburg took a page from Pleasant Grove’s book. Pirate senior quarterback Jaylon Jimmerson connected on a 68-yard strike to senior wide receiver Keithlen Griffin, cutting the Hawks lead to 37-35. However, Pleasant Grove seized the momentum right back, as junior wing back Bruce Garrett took a 49-yard run in for a huge score. That pushed the Hawks advantage back to 44-35.
Pittsburg down nine in the fourth with under a minute to go looked to do what they could to cut the deficit and they cut a chunk out as they got downfield again thanks to a creative play call. Pittsburg has Jimmerson go out wide to catch a touchdown pass from senior wide receiver Keontae Burns, cutting the lead to only three at 44-41 after failing on the two point attempt. Pirates attempted an onside kick for one last chance, but to no avail as Pleasant Grove recovers and then runs out the clock to end the game.
Pleasant Grove started off on defense and stuffed the run as the Pirates began their attack on the ground, but on the first pass by Jimmerson, a long pass is thrown to Griffin to start moving the chains. Pirates begin the game with good momentum after a couple of touchdowns by the offense leading 14-0 early on.
Pittsburg started this game out clicking on offense and defense, but the defending champs made sure they responded in a big way.
After the second touchdown by Pittsburg, the Hawks marched upfield and got on the scoreboard with a 14-yard rush by Garrett. This score by Garrett was the first of three straight touchdowns by Pleasant Grove in response to regain the lead at 20-14, with the third touchdown coming on defense with a pick six by senior cornerback Tyler Kelley.
Coming out of halftime Pittsburg looked to shift momentum back in their favor by Jimmerson intercepting a pass from Hawks quarterback Ben Harmon. Prior to Friday’s game, Harmon had only thrown two interceptions all season long. Immediately following the interception, senior running back Desmond Allen takes the ball upfield for 30 yards to the one yard line setting up an easy punch up the middle for a touchdown by Allen on the following play.
No team dominated this game on both sides of the ball. Each team had its fair share of good and bad on both offense and defense.
After Pittsburg takes a one point lead a couple minutes into the third at 21-20, Pleasant Grove manages to muster up two more touchdowns in response to stretch the lead back out to a pair of touchdowns.
Regardless of Pleasant Groves emphatic responses on offense, the Pirates continue to battle as Jimmerson trims it down early in the fourth quarter to 34-28 with a 12-yard rushing touchdown. Pittsburg then gets a defensive stop in the red zone forcing the Hawks to just a field goal with a few minutes to go.
Pittsburg’s season ends in disappointing fashion at 10-4 and in the quarterfinal round and Pleasant Grove (12-2) advances to the semifinals to take on Iowa Park (9-5) next Thursday December 13th, one game away from another State Championship game appearance.