FAIRHOPE — Under the Friday night lights at W.C. Majors football field, the Fairhope High School Pirates fell to Mary G. Montgomery 24-10. Despite the setback, Pirate head coach Tim Carter said he was proud of his team.

Fairhope’s early scoring efforts and Coach Carter's expectations

The Pirates may have only managed to find the end zone once during the game, courtesy of Preston Godfrey, but they were the first to put points on the board. The leg of kicker Campbell MacKallar was responsible for the other four points.

“We came in expecting to win,” said Carter. “We had some chances, but in close ballgames you’ve got to make a few more plays than we did.”

Class of 1973 cameo

The class of 1973 celebrated their 50th anniversary at W.C. Majors Field to watch a new generation of athletes take the field. Donnie Faust, a former member of the Fairhope High School football team and a player under the legendary Coach Bear Bryant at Alabama, offered some advice to the current generation of athletes.

"It's just hard work," Faust said. "Do what you're supposed to do; learn your plays."

He spoke with a sense of nostalgia about his own playing days, reminiscing about Coach W.C. Majors, the man after whom the Fairhope football field was named.

Faust recalled a story from his time as a member of the team when he would assist Coach Majors in cleaning up around the area.

"He was a very, very productive coach," Faust said. "(Majors) said, 'There's going to be a football field one day here.’”

Years later, that vision became a reality and the field that would come to be was named in honor of Majors.

Up next

Looking ahead, the Fairhope Pirates prepare for their next test against the Davidson Warriors in a region battle in Mobile on Sept. 22.

Money quote

“You just keep battling,” Carter said in his postgame address to his team. "I am proud of you, I really am. I am not happy, don't get me wrong, but I am proud of you."