Pilots defeat Bombers for first win of 2023

For most people, the number 13 is associated with bad luck, but for the Fulton County High School Pilots’ football team, it brought good luck as they picked up their first victory of the 2023 season on Fri., Oct. 13 and snapped a 13 game losing streak with a 26-20 victory on the road against the Ballard Memorial Bombers.

However, it was the home team that found the endzone first just before the end of the first quarter to lead 6-0.

The second stanza would belong to the Pilots though, starting with Damien Hill scoring with a 10 yard run, however the two point attempt afterwards was unsuccessful.

The Pilots would take their first lead of the game a few minutes later, as Treshaun Lyons scored from one yard out, but the two point attempt afterwards was once again unsuccessful.

The Pilots would add to their lead with about three minutes remaining in the first half, as Hill once again found the endzone after breaking loose for an 88 yard run. This time, the two point attempt afterwards would be successful and the Pilots would take a 20-6 lead.

The Bombers wouldn’t go away quietly before halftime though, as they scored with under a minute remaining in the half to trim the Pilots’ lead to 20-12 at halftime.

Both teams would go scoreless in the third quarter, but Hill would record his third touchdown on the evening early in the fourth quarter to give the Pilots a 26-12 lead.

The Bombers would respond with a touchdown of their own, cutting the visitors’ lead to 26-20 with five minutes remaining.

However, the Pilots would be able to close out the game and came away victorious.

The Pilots would bully the Bombers on the ground, rushing for 422 rushing yards, while allowing only 81.

Hill had 300 rushing yards on 32 rushing attempts, followed by David Allison with 53 yards on 11 attempts, Felix Jackson 32 yards on four carries, Evan Mallett 14 yards on four carries, Lyons 12 yards on four carries, and Preston Smith 11 yards on four carries.

The Pilots did not complete a pass attempt, as Preston Smith was 0-3 with one interception, and James Parker was 0-1.

Defensively, the Pilots recorded 45 total team tackles, led by Allison with six tackles, including two for losses and one sack. Logan Griffiths, Parker and Hill each had five tackles, while Bridges had four tackles, including one sack, Dalton Blankenship, Zayden Kinney, Lyons, and Ryan Prehoda with three tackles each. Preston Smith, Mallett and Nyjah Montgomery each had two tackles, and Jackson and EDrece Bonds each had one tackle.

The Pilots forced two Bombers’ turnovers, as Allison forced a fumble, which was recovered by Parker, and Griffiths intercepted one Bombers’ pass.

The Pilots will remain on the road as they look to win back-to-back games as they face the Russellville Tigers Oct. 20. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.