Gordonsville Upsets South Pittsburg in Second Round of TSSAA Playoffs
By Carter Mansfield
The Gordonsville team has had the South Pittsburg monkey on its back for what feels like forever. The Tigers have watched their season come to end at the hands of South Pittsburg for each of the last four seasons coming into Friday night, but that streak was finally ended, as Gordonsville traveled home with a 14-7 victory over the defending 1A state champions.
“Being able to come down here and win, it’s huge for our program.” Gordonsville Head Coach Stephen Jackson said.
There were fireworks from the beginning, as Gordonsville freshman J Foster returned the opening kickoff back for a touchdown, leaving the South Pittsburg sideline stunned, and giving the Tigers all of the momentum early.
This led to a quick defensive stop for Gordonsville, before they drove the ball down and scored again on a 16-yard touchdown run by Bryson Greer to take a 14-0 lead. Greer was the workhorse for the Gordonsville offense, rushing for 88 yards on 15 carries with the touchdown, before exiting in the third quarter due to injury.
South Pittsburg responded on a deep pass from Kam Wellington to RaCash Kelly in the second quarter to cut the lead to 14-7, and it was a defensive slugfest from there.
Both teams traded huge blows and defense stands all night long. Gordonsville asserted their will in the running game, even with Greer out, as quarterback Matthew Albritton also rushed for 80 of the Tiger’s 202 rushing yards on the night.
This allowed the Tigers to have no problem running the clock out and winning their first playoff game against South Pittsburg since 2012 and their first playoff win on the road against the Pirates since 2006.
Gordonsville will get a rematch with region foe, Clay County, who beat the Tigers 27-20 in the last game of the regular season for a region title
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
