By Kevin Price For GCS Athletics The Brunswick High Pirates stayed unbeaten Thursday night with a 28-7 victory over Evans in a Region 2-AAAAAA game played in Augusta. By no means was it the prettiest of wins by the ninth-ranked Pirates (9-0 overall, 5-0 region), however. Brunswick lost four turnovers in the game including three fumbles in the second half and committed several penalties especially on offense that killed drives in the first half. The Pirates had a touchdown called back due to a penalty before halftime and also dropped a touchdown pass prior to the half. It was also a costly win for the Pirates who lost junior linebacker Devin Smith on the opening series of the game to a broken ankle which the BHS radio broadcast crew reported. He was taken off the field by an ambulance and will be out for the remainder of the season. The Pirates scored the first time they had the ball, needing just two plays to cover 50 yards. J.R. Elkins, Brunswick’s junior quarterback, threw a 38-yard pass to junior receiver Terry Mitchell for a touchdown on the team’s second offensive snap. McClain Finneran added the point-after kick for a 7-0 lead. That was the only score by either team in the opening two quarters. Brunswick lost a fumble after receiving the kick to start the third quarter. The BHS defense kept Evans (3-6, 1-4) from scoring even though the Knights started deep in the Pirates’ territory. The Pirates moved from their own 9-yard line inside Evans territory by just running the ball, but again the Pirates fumbled and lost the ball. The Knights returned the loose ball for a touchdown this time, however, they were called for holding on the return and thus the score was nullified. The Knights took over in their own territory and ended up trying for a first down on fourth down but gave up the ball on downs at their own 38. The gamble proved costly as the Pirates covered that distance in five plays, scoring on a 9-yard run by Jamarious Towns just moments into the fourth quarter for a 14-0 lead after Finneran’s point-after. Taivon Gadson picked off a pass for the Pirates inside BHS territory on the next Evans possession, but again the Pirates lost a fumble to give the ball back to the Knights. Evans threatened to score, but the BHS defense kept the shutout going a little longer by knocking down a pass in the end zone to turn back the Knights. The Pirates extended their lead to 21-0 following the defensive stop with a 90-yard drive, using only six plays. Towns scored from 29 yards to seal the drive. On the ensuing kick, Brunswick appeared to recover a pooch kick, but the Pirates were whistled for a penalty that enabled Evans to start a drive at midfield after the officials marked off the yardage for the penalty. The Knights took the ball in for a touchdown, finishing off their drive with a 6-yard pass to make it 21-7 following the PAT. Evans then attempted an onside kick, and the Pirates actually scored on the kick. Junior defensive back R’Marion Lamar, a member of the ‘hands team’, scooped up the ball and paraded 45 yards to paydirt. Another PAT by Finneran made for the 28-7 final score. The kick return for a touchdown was the first by the Pirates this season. The win was the 21st in a row for the Pirates in the regular season. They won their final two regular-season games in 2020, won all 10 games during the season last year and have won nine more this season. The Pirates will have a chance to complete a second straight perfect regular season next Friday when they host Effingham for the season finale. The Rebels are 6-2, 4-0 going into their game Friday at Lakeside-Evans. Next Friday’s 7:30 p.m. game at Glynn County Stadium also will decide the region championship and top seed for the upcoming Class AAAAAA state playoffs.