The Pine Tree Pirates wrapped up the regular season in style Friday night, earning a convincing 31-14 victory over the Palestine Wildcats at Pirate Stadium. With the win, Pine Tree improved to 6-4 overall and 4-2 in District 9-4A Division I play, securing a playoff berth and continuing their strong late-season surge under head coach Jason Bachman.
From the opening drive, the Pirates looked sharp and focused. Quarterback Colton Croft led an 8-play, 70-yard drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Ashton Valentine, giving Pine Tree an early 7-0 lead. The defense immediately followed with a stop, and kicker Julian Ibarra drilled a 32-yard field goal to extend the advantage to 10-0 midway through the first quarter.
Palestine answered early in the second with a 44-yard touchdown run, but Pine Tree’s offense kept the pressure on. Roger Attaway powered in from five yards out to make it 17-7 at halftime as the Pirates’ offensive line controlled the trenches.
In the third quarter, Pine Tree broke the game open. Croft connected deep with Taibran Homer for a 52-yard touchdown strike, pushing the lead to 24-7. The Pirate defense continued to dominate, forcing two turnovers and holding the Wildcats under 100 yards of offense in the second half.
Palestine briefly closed the gap with a short touchdown run early in the fourth, but Pine Tree responded immediately. Ja’Karius Timmons capped a long drive with a 6-yard touchdown run to seal the 31-14 win as the home crowd celebrated Senior Night.
Croft finished the game completing 17 of 25 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns, while Homer totaled four receptions for 104 yards and a score. Attaway and Timmons combined for 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and Ibarra went 4-for-4 on PATs and 1-for-1 on field goals. Defensively, Rashaad Wofford recorded an interception and Dalan Montgomery added a fumble recovery.
The Pirates now turn their focus to the postseason, where they will open the Class 4A Division I playoffs next week against and at Lumberton. Kickoff is set for Friday at 7:30 p.m.
