While the win over Sparta Friday night was expected, it clinched a playoff berth for Pinckneyville and made some history.
For the first time in school history, the Panthers are the outright conference champions in football.
Pinckneyville clinched the outright title Friday night with a 50-12 win over Sparta, followed by Anna-Jonesboro’s loss to Carterville.
“This means a lot to the kids, and I think it gives us more confidence as we prepare to go into the playoffs,” said Pinckneyville coach Tod Rushing. “The program has been co-champions twice before but never had an outright championship. This is something the kids can look back on and be real proud of.”
Last year, Pinckneyville had to score two touchdowns late in the game to rally for a win over Sparta. Coach Rushing was prepared for another spirited battle with the Bulldogs.
“Last year, Sparta  fought us hard and I knew they would be ready to give us everything they had again this year,” added Rushing. “Darius Jackson is probably the best athlete in the conference, so we knew Sparta had some weapons.”
Ky Hamilton returned the opening kickoff for a 97-yard touchdown to give Pinckneyville the needed early spark.
“The kickoff was really big for the team,” said Rushing. “The team knew what was at stake and they were tense. It seemed like they were playing not to lose insteadof playing to win.”
With a minute left in the first quarter, the Panthers struck again to go up 16-0. J.D. Conner finished off the scoring drive with a four-yard touchdown run.
Sparta got on the board early in the second quarter when Jackson sprinted for a 61-yard score.
Two minutes later, Pinckneyville stretched its lead to 24-6 as Bryant Shute connected with Austin Pyatt for a 46-yard touchdown pass. That lead would hold up until the second half.
The Panthers outscored Sparta 26-6 in the second half to seal the victory.
Brandon Edwards recovered a blocked punt in the end zone, Shute connected with Hamilton for a 24-yard touchdown pass, and Conner broke loose for a 50-yard touchdown. Colton Nelson added a 20-yard touchdown run with 24 seconds left in the game.
Sparta’s other touchdown came with 4:22 left in the fourth quarter as Ian Wolter scored from three yards out.
Conner finished his big game with 116 yards on eight carries, while Shute was 4-of-6 passing for 88 yards. Pyatt was the top receiver for the Panthers with two receptions for 49 yards.
“J.D. had a great game, and Austin made some big catches for us,” said Rushing. “It seems like every week we have a different person step up. That makes it hard on opposing defenses. It is nice to have multiple weapons.”
The Panthers (6-2) close out the regular season by hosting Dupo (3-5) Friday night.
Jackson rushed the ball 33 times for 189 yards to lead the Bulldog offense. Sparta (0-8) will travel to take on Red Bud (5-3) Friday night.