This online news website is owned and operated by Becky Watts. The Editor can be reached at 770-468-7583 or at editor(at)PikeCountyTimes(dot)com. Pike County Times is a website for citizens to keep up with local events and stay informed about Pike County government. It began on November 13, 2006 as a watchdog on county government and has turned into an online newspaper.
If you enjoy reading Pike County Times, consider buying an advertisement for your business or sending a donation to support Pike County Times. Donations can be sent to: The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. Click here to donate through PayPal. Thanks for supporting Pike County Times.com!
By Guest Columnist Jim Asher
ZEBULON - Facing a "Must Win" game, the Pike County Lady Pirates showed up with the drive and desire to get the job done. When they traveled to Madison, GA to face the Morgan County Lady Bulldogs on Friday, April 20th, the fate of the Lady Pirates' playoff future literally hung in the balance. With an inspired and gritty performance, Pike County took everything thrown at them and turned it into a thrilling Overtime victory.
At this time last season, the Lady Pirates had secured their second Region Title and assured themselves of home field advantage through at least the first three rounds of the playoffs. This time around, the girls found themselves in a very unusual position, that of needing a win just to make sure they didn't have to travel to South Georgia on May 4th. For such a young group this could have been a struggle but, under the guidance of their coach, Justin O'Steen, and an extremely capable group of Captains, Seniors Lindsey Thompson and Caylie Mahaffey and Juniors Taylor Asher and Jessi Johnson, the girls were able to take everything thrown at them and turn it into a positive outcome.
Opening the game, the Lady Bulldogs forced pressure into the Pike County defensive end only to be thwarted by strong play from the defensive line, including Thompson, Johnson and Sophomore Abby Wheeless, and Asher in goal. With their defense firmly in control, Coach O'Steen and the Lady Pirates where able to commit more pressure up front, subsequently forcing Morgan County back on their heels. Despite both teams pressing hard through the first two periods, the score at the end of 80 minutes of regulation time stood at a 0-0 tie.
Entering the first of two 5 minute overtime periods, the Lady Pirates held the advantage and continued to press hard to get a goal while preventing the Lady Bulldogs from doing the same. Despite attempts by the Morgan County fans to distract the Lady Pirates' players, the Pike County Defense and Goalkeeper maintained their focus and thwarted several attempts by Morgan County to penetrate the defensive third. As the game reached a point deep in the second overtime, the Lady Pirates finally got the break that they had been looking for. On a corner kick from Freshman Ashley York, Junior Elizabeth Woodall, who had previously left the game with a minor injury following a hard challenge, was able to stick the ball in the back of the net for a 1-0 Pike County lead. With the goal, the Lady Bulldogs seemed to lose steam and the game ended with a much needed victory for the Lady Pirates.
With the win, Pike County secured Second Place in Region 4 and will host the First Round of the playoffs on May 4th against the Third Place team from Region 3. Game time for the playoff game has yet to be announced. The Lady Pirates will finish out the Regular Season with a non-Region game against Brookstone High School on April 25th at 5:30. If you are looking for something to occupy a Spring Break evening, the Lady Pirates would truly appreciate all the support they can get for what should prove to be a nice final tune-up before the playoffs.