FAIRHOPE, Ala. – With the score tied late in the fourth quarter, the Fairhope Pirates connected on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Merritt to David Kirksey, giving them a big region win Friday night against Robertsdale 14-7.
PHOTOS: Fairhope …
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FAIRHOPE, Ala. – With the score tied late in the fourth quarter, the Fairhope Pirates connected on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Merritt to David Kirksey, giving them a big region win Friday night against Robertsdale 14-7.
PHOTOS: Fairhope vs. Robertsdale
Both teams turned the ball over multiple times but in the end the Pirates did just enough to put away the upset-minded Bears.
“You have to give a lot of credit to Robertsdale, to their coaches and their kids,” Pirates head coach Adam Winegarden said. “They could have easily won the game tonight, we were just fortunate enough to make some big plays tonight late and win the game.”
After a 34-yard touchdown run by Pirate running back David Kirksey and an immediate answer by the Bears, both teams went scoreless until late in the fourth quarter. With that being said, both teams had their opportunities punch the ball over the goal line.
With the game tied at seven the Bears went on a drive that lasted 15 plays that abruptly ended when they fumbled the ball on the Pirate 11-yard line, giving Fairhope possession.
Possibly the biggest play of the night, was a play that never should have happened. With under 10:00 remaining in the third quarter, Kirksey had his second big play of night when he was on his way for a touchdown of 54 yards.
At least that was until he dropped the ball in celebration just before he crossed the goal-line, giving the Bears possession on their own 20-yard line.
Fortunately for the Pirates the Bears returned the favor by fumbling the ball right back to them in the redzone for the second time in the game.
Turnovers was not the hurdle the Pirates had to jump over Friday night, early in the fourth quarter starting quarterback Grey Jackson rolled right on an option and scampered 50 yards down the field before he was taken down.
He limped off the field with an apparent leg injury. After the game he was seen in a leg cast talking with his teammates.
“Grey has done an excellent job for our program and he is a great competitor,” Winegarden said. “Right now we don’t know what his injury is, we don’t have a report. I am proud of him and of the whole team.”
Back-up quarterback Ryan Merritt came in and made the best of his opportunity by a making a huge 75-yard pass to Kirksey giving the Pirates the lead with 2:33 remaining.
“It was one of those special plays that you practice, we don’t call it very often but it was the right time and they executed it well,” Winegarden said. “Ryan made a great throw and it was a great play in the game.”
After a loss to a non-regional Spanish Fort team a week ago, the Pirates returned to the region and received a huge win before heading to play their rival Foley next week.
“It’s anybody’s ball game. We all have to compete; it will be very interesting how it plays out.” Coach Winegarden said. “We are excited for the opportunity and excited to play Foley next week.
With the win the Pirates improve their overall record to 5-1 overall and 4-0 within the region. The Bears fall to 2-4 overall and 1-3 within the region.
The Bears will be in action again next week when they travel to play Daphne.