The Pirates face their biggest challenge of the year when Webster Groves visits Pattonville to play the state semifinal game.

Both squads enter the contest with the same 5-3 record but these teams were supposed to meet up back in September a week after Pattonville pulled off the upset against the undefeated Kirkwood Pioneers. The Webster Groves game was a highly anticipated one because it was a division game and it would also prove if the Pirates had a legit program. The game was canceled due to the release of the verdict in the Officer Jason Stockley hearing.

I can guarantee you that neither of these teams wanted to miss that game since Pattonville and Webster have evolved into a new rivalry, with the schools meeting up every season for the past few years.

This is unlike any other game from this season: Go big or go home. We will finally see how the Pirates play football under pressure.

So what does Pattonville need to win this football game?

1. DEFINITELY THE PASS DEFENSE!!! The Pirates pass defense has proven to be elite throughout the season with plenty of picks and great reads on passes.
2. Rush offense. The rush offense has been unstoppable this season with David Ellison and Sam Sanderson in the backfield. These guys have been dominant all year long with Ellison exciting us with the long runs and Sanderson bursting through the hole and playing with relentlessness every time he carries the ball. These two have been the heart and soul of the offense all season long.
3. The last thing Pattonville will need to show up is the OFFENSIVE LINE. The O-line has had a few disappointing games this season especially when Pattonville faced off against rival Ritenour. The line gave up sack upon sack upon sack. There is some very precious cargo in the backfield that the O-line cannot forget to protect: Kaleb Eleby, a DI-bound quarterback that is hungry for a deep playoff run as he plays his final postseason as a Pattonville Pirate.

As long as these three things show up, Pattonville should have no problem winning this football game. Webster is not nearly as tough as Kirkwood, or Vianney who the Pirates held their own against in Week 1 of the season.

Friday night is going to be an exciting one in Maryland Heights. Pirate Nation is anxious for some football, and these Pirates will not back down from any fight.