0
0
Emotions rolled over Pearl-Cohn’s coaches, players and fans as the clock struck zero.
Withstanding a late run by Upperman, the Firebirds held on for the 36-27 win over the Bees. It was their first state title win since 1997 and Metro Nashville’s first state title since 2008.
“This mean everything to me,” Pearl-Cohn senior linebacker Zeion Simpson-Smith said following the win. “It’s what I’ve been grinding towards and what I’ve been working for. It means everything right now.”
In a year full of blowout win after blowout win, the Firebirds got a challenge from an upstart Bees program many expected them to roll over. Upperman had other plans.
On the game’s first possession, Upperman took nearly six minutes off the clock before punching it into the end zone. That 7-0 lead remained up to the half as penalties and unforced errors continued to play the Firebirds through the game’s opening 24 minutes.
It was Simpson-Smith who finally got Pearl into the end zone. He capped off quick third quarter opening drive and from there the flood gates opened. Upperman and Pearl-Cohn traded touchdowns back and forth for the next few minutes before a Keshawn Tarleton to D’Arious Reed 17-yard touchdown strike put them up 21-14 entering the 4th.
A minute and a half in Simpson-Smith broke loose for a 32-yard touchdown and it looked like Pearl was well on the way to the title. Instead Upperman rattled off a pair of touchdown drives over the next eight minutes and found themselves within two with 2:20 remaining.
Upperman was unable to convert on its two-point conversion attempt and on the game was sealed on the ensuing onside kick. Pearl-Cohn sophomore Omarion Starnes recovered the kick and with open field in front of him, took it 48 yards for six.
From there, the celebration was on.
“We’re bringing one back to Nashville,” Pearl-Cohn coach Tony Brunetti said. “It’s been a long time. The community is fired up right now.
…this isn’t just our zone. This is for all of MNPS, but most definitely Pearl-Cohn High School.”
