In an effort to make their home games a more fan-friendly experience, the Madison County Pirates have added a tried and true tradition for some football teams.

A cannon has been added to the Pirates Cove, which shall sit silent until a Pirates touchdown is scored and then said cannon will be fired off in celebration.

Saturday night, the Pirates defeated the Tri-County Raiders from St. Mary’s, Ohio and the cannon was put through its paces as the home team won 31-6.

Former Highland Scots Rodney Woodall and Devin Simmons scored touchdowns in the Pirates opener. Woodall scored on a 65-yard run that electrified the crowd. Simmons caught a pass from quarterback Clay Tolliver in the corner of the end zone for one score. Simmons also returned a punt 55-yards for another TD.

Fullback DeShaun Holder, and Anderson High grad, also scored for the Pirates on an 8-yard run.

Defensively, the Pirates recorded three sacks and forced four turnovers in the win.

Free safety Derek Harmon had a drive-killing interception and linebacker Chad Ralston made a leaping pick for Madison County. The Pirates also forced and recovered two fumbles.

“We still have a lot of work to do to get where we want to be, but it was good to get this first game, and fortunately a win, under our belts,” said Pirates coach Dane Hill. “It was also good to be able to measure (ourselves) against a team that was playing their third pre-season game versus us in our first and only one for 2009.”

The Pirates will be off this Saturday for the July 4 holiday. They’ll open the Midwest Football League regular season on July 11 in Evansville against the Ohio River Bearcats. The Bearcats played in the MFL championship game last season.