MonticelloLive

The Drew Central High School Pirates complete their first season of football, tonight at UAM’s Weevil Field, against Woodlawn.  Game time is 7 pm.

When a team starts a sports program, and is playing against established schools, the expectations usually don’t include many victorys.  But the Pirates record this year has been impressive, and so have many individual performances.

This year is Coach John Barbaree’s first year serving as Head Coach, while he’s working with both the Jr. high & Sr. high teams. 

During my weekly calls to Coach Barbaree, he’s told me about how impressed he has been with the many great games he’s seen his players have, how they’ve grown, and learned to work together as a team.

“Coach” has kept me updated on each of Drew Central’s first rushing touchdown, pancake blocks, kick returned for touchdown, and 100 yard rushing game.

Drew Central Superintendent Mike Reeves told MonticelloLive how impressed he has been with school spirit.  Reeves said, “I’ve never seen as much Red & White around here, the students are wearing on game-days.”

Reeves added, “By adding the football program, we have given dozens of students the opportunity to compete in interscholastic athletics, that otherwise never would have had the chance.”

Reeves also pointed out that there are over 100 students that have taken part in the football program, counting both the Jr. & Sr. high squads.

There were only 2 home games scheduled this year, because when a team enters competitions, the existing schools hold a bargaining advantage, but next year’s schedule includes a total of 10 games, with half of them being played at home.

The last high school game of the season is tonight, the Jr. high will conclude their season Thursday night in Hamburg.

 Let’s go Pirates!!  It’s been a great 1st year.