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"We've Got One More": SBS seniors, coaches excited for State Title Game berth but job not done
HOUSTON - As much as getting past the TAPPS State Semifinals meant to, especially the seniors, on Saturday night the celebration was slightly tempered at times.
Not because the Eagles weren't excited about getting to the programs' first TAPPS State Championship game since 1999 - well before any of the current players were even born - but because their job is not done.
"It's cool and all but we've got one more," senior Grayson Kim, who has started in a school-record 47 games, said. "We will work hard this week. We've got to win that last game."
Senior back Eli Smith added: "If we handle our job at State we can come home with that ring."
Between 1996-1999, Second Baptist School made some deep runs just like they have the past now four seasons. They punched through the ceiling in 1999 winning the program's lone football championship.
"This means a lot, especially for this program," senior Everett Skillern said.
The past three seasons it was Regents School of Austin standing in their way in the State Semifinals. But after upending them last week, Second Baptist School downed Fort Bend Christian Academy 14-13 to advance again - this time to the State Championship game.
"It's really relieving but the jobs not finished," Smith said. "It feels good to get past semis but it's not the state championship."
For Second Baptist School coach Terry Pirtle, to be back in this spot with this group is special, considered when he arrived at SBS nine years ago some of these guys were just running around in the lower school.
"It means a lot, this is my ninth year here and some of these guys were in the second or third grade when I got here," Pirtle said. "I've known these kids forever. They were built for this, we built them, it wasn't assembled. They've been with us a long time. I'm very proud, especially for these seniors who hung in there and got a win in their senior year in the semifinals."
VYPE Postgame 🎙: Had to catch up with seniors @skillerneverett, @GraysonKim1 & @eli_smiith after the big win. #txhsfb
(@mawalker_SBAD @KPRC2RandyMc @turnermurdock5 @CoachPirtle) pic.twitter.com/BKBcaULQ2J
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) November 28, 2021
More State Championship Game Bound Quotes
"It means that we are truly special. I've been playing here for the last three years. We had been to the semifinals but not state yet. This is it!" - Colin Hedges ('22)
"It hasn't happened in a while. We want to be the next team to raise that banner. We're going to go do that next week." - Karsten Chambers ('23)
"Having the opportunity is just amazing. At my old school we went three years in a row, so now 10 years later you don't take it for granted. So, we're going to do the best that we can to just get prepared for this game and play our very best against a very good Dallas Christian team." - SBS Head Coach Terry Pirtle.
Second Baptist School Football
2021 VYPE Houston Football Preview - The Contenders: Second Baptist School Eagles
Heading into their game against Lutheran South last year, Second Baptist School coach Terry Pirtle stood in front of his team and said they had to "sweep our porch off" to protect their district.
They did and then went on to reach the TAPPS State Semifinals for a third-straight year. Pirtle also won his 100th game as a head coach last season.
The Eagles have the pieces to get back there and beyond in 2021 with a loaded offensive unit. It starts with the running back tandem of Eli Smith (Villanova-commit) and Everett Skillern (Brown University-commit).
VYPE On Campus: Caught up with @SBS_Athletics RB & @NovaFootball commit @eli_smiith a few weeks ago. Talks about commitment to Nova, the season and facing Kinkaid this week #txhsfb @mawalker_SBAD @chandace_tryon @CoachPirtle @Deuce2CMC @DonaldFDavis @TappsFootball @bryce_ganious pic.twitter.com/7RmUA3nVmP
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) August 24, 2021
That duo is DYNAMIC.
Smith racked up 1,289 all-purpose yards and 15 scores a year ago, averaging 171.9 yards per game. Skillern, a first- team, all-state DB and second-team, all-state running back had 418 yards rushing, 166 yards receiving, 69 tackles, two interceptions and 12 pass breakups.
New quarterback Turner Murdock will get his shot this season, replacing Finn Nicholson, and he has an arm to target receivers Grayson Kim, Kyle Kollmorgen, Karsten Chambers, Hank Huthnance and TE Hank Harris.
This offense will have plenty of firepower and most of these guys will also play on defense for the Eagles.
Athlete Austin Courtney will be all over the field.