But Friday night the Pirates bucked tradition, capturing a 10-9 victory over Longview in Lobo Stadium in what may be the biggest upset in the history of Pine Tree High School, and formally ended the Lobos' hopes for the District 13-5A Championship.

Lufkin defeated Nacogdoches to win the district title. Longview, which enters the playoffs as the district's runnerup, faces Waco High next Saturday at 2 p.m. in Texas Stadium in bi-district.

It was only Pine Tree's second victory over Longview in the nine game series, but the win put a silver lining on an otherwise disappointing season for the Pirates. Pine Tree ended the campign at 4-6.

Longview is 7-2-1.

"Anytime you can beat your rival in the last game, it helps cover up a lot of misfortune," said Pine Tree coach Maurice Cook while donning an ear-to-ear grin. "I felt all along our kids could play and they stayed together all season. I admire them for that, it would've been easy to give up here."

Neither team could sustain drives on the wet playing surface. Pine Tree managed just 186 total yards, while Longiew had 212.

The Lobos, though, suffered three lost fumbles, an interception, and a costly penalty.

One of those fumbles allowed the Pirates to take a 10-7 lead early in the second half.

John Reedy fumbled the half's opening kickoff and Jeff Moore recovered at the Lobo one.

Although Longview's defense wouldn't budge, Tim Greaves kicked a 25-yard field goal with 10:05 showing in the third period to account for the winning points.

The Lobos threatened Pine Tree's margin twice, but both times the Bucs turned the Lobos away. First, Alvin Hawkins recovered a Ray Allison fumble at the PT seven-yard line and later Curtis Lang intercepted a Griffin pass at the one-yard line with 1:01 left in the game.

After Lang's interception the Pirates milked the clock with three sneaks by quarterback Brian Fisher. On fourth down from the one, Cook opted for an intentional safety, ordering the center to snap the ball out of the end zone with eight seconds left.

That brought the score to 10-9, and after the free kick Longview had a final chance with just two seconds left and the ball at its own 46.

When Eric Faggett was tackled at the 37 after catching Griffin's pass, a sea of blue and gold engulfed the soggy playing field.