Pine Tree Pirates Make History, Advance to Third Round of Playoffs

In a historic achievement, the Pine Tree Pirates have advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in school history. This remarkable feat was secured with a thrilling 35-28 victory over the previously unbeaten Houston Yates Lions on March 15, 2024, at Driskell Stadium. The Pirates, now with an overall record of 8-4, will face Fort Bend Crawford in the next round of the postseason tournament.

The game took a dramatic turn as the Pirates found themselves trailing 21-0 early in the first quarter. The Lions started strong, with quarterback Chris Brown connecting with Edward Shinall for a 12-yard touchdown pass just nine minutes into the game. Brown extended the lead with a touchdown run two minutes later, and a fumble by the Pirates allowed him to score again, making it 21-0 before the end of the first quarter.

Despite the setback, the Pirates rallied in the second quarter. Quarterback Colton Croft initiated the comeback with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Bosston Johnson. The momentum shifted further just before halftime when Johnson recovered a Yates fumble, allowing Croft to find Ashton Valentin for another touchdown, bringing the score to 21-14 at the break.

The third quarter began with a bang for Pine Tree as Johnson returned a punt for a touchdown, leveling the score at 21-21. However, the Lions responded, regaining the lead on a 3-yard touchdown run by Michael Johnson with 7:34 remaining in the quarter. Not to be outdone, Croft connected with Johnson again, this time on a 37-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 28-28 as the third quarter wound down.

With just over six minutes left in the game, Roger Attaway secured the victory for the Pirates with a decisive 5-yard touchdown run. This comeback not only showcases the resilience of the Pine Tree Pirates but also marks a significant milestone in the school’s athletic history.

Pine Tree previously made it to the second round of the playoffs in 1950, 1963, 1976, 2020, and 2024, but never progressed beyond that stage until now. The Lions, who had dominated throughout the season with only 88 points allowed prior to this match, conclude their season with an impressive record of 11-1.

Details regarding the upcoming matchup against Fort Bend Crawford will be announced later. As excitement builds within the community, the historic achievement of the Pirates serves as a reminder of the power of determination and teamwork in sports.