Pigskin Preview: Pender Patriots build around experience after deep playoff runPENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) –Pender football did not waste much time making noise last season. Deal knows how important that group was to the Patriots’ success. “Well, we had great success last year. We had great leadership, great discipline, and if you have all of that, it leads to success,” Deal said. Last season gave the Patriots a taste of a deep playoff run.