Pine Tree football is trending up as Pirates transition to 4A’s “District of Doom”

LONGVIEW, Texas ( KETK ) – Is it possible for Texas high school football’s famed “District of Doom” to get any tougher?

Well, with the Pine Tree Pirates moving from 5A-D2 to 4A-D1, the answer might be yes.

Pine Tree football has been on the rise the last couple of seasons and they’re ready to make some noise in 4A-1 Region III District 9.

Pine Tree senior linebacker Seth McFarland has experienced the Pirates’ ascension firsthand these last two seasons.

McFarland can feel the tides turning in Longview from a two-win team his sophomore year to a 6-5 playoff team last year.

“We’re all excited. We lost a couple of starters here and there but like you said we have a ton of talent coming back,” McFarland said.

As Pine Tree moves from 5A-D2 to 4A-D1’s District of Doom they’re going to rely heavily on that returning talent.

Players like McFarland and senior quarterback MJ Cates know they have to step up and make plays for the Pirates.

“I know I have to play to my best so these guys can play to their best. I really just, they rely on me and I rely on them so it’s just really a team effort,” Cates said.

Cates also said he feels like this could be a special season in year three under Pine Tree head football coach Jason Bachman.

“Great program. We’re getting stronger, we’re getting faster and everything. He really just showed us what it’s really about,” Cates said.

Pine Tree is excited to compete against District of Doom powerhouses like Chapel Hill, Kilgore, and Lindale.

For now, though, the Pirates’ main focus is on their week one opponent- the defending state champion Gilmer Buckeyes.

“We’re not gonna hide behind it. We wanna build a championship-level program. Are we there yet? We think we’re moving closer. How do you find those things out? You climb into the ring with champions and that’s exactly what Gilmer is and so we’ll come out of that thing either shocking the state or learning some lessons but we’re excited for the opportunity,” Bachman said.

Pine Tree opens the season at Gilmer on Friday, August 30. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Jeff Traylor Stadium in Gilmer.

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