PARK HILL — A strong second half enabled the Keys Cougars to win their season and home opener 49-22 over the Gore Pirates last Friday night.
Trailing 22-21 at the half, the Cougars (1-0) outscored the Pirates 28-0 in the second half.
The Pirates (0-2) used the combination of Devon Mannon and Tate Brooksher to get their three first-half touchdowns.
Mannon scored his lone rushing touchdown with 9:05 in the first quarter, with Bladin McCartney scoring the first of his two twopoint conversions.
With 7:30 left before halftime. Mannon caught a 6-yard TD pass from Brooksher, but the two-point conversion run failed.
The Pirates took momentum into the locker room at halftime as Brooksher scored his lone rushing TD with 12 seconds remaining in the first half. McCartney’s second two-point conversion gave Gore a 22-21 halftime lead.
The loss could prove costly as three Pirates were injured in the game, but Gore coach Brandon Ellis said all three players were back at school on Monday.
The Pirates will hope that third time is indeed the charm as they will entertain the Chouteau-Mazie Wildcats at 7 p.m. next Friday at K.G. Horn Stadium.
