Despite a very strong start, the Pirates lost their first home game of the VHS 2016 football season, beaten by the Cedar Park Christian Eagles in a non-­league match, 34-24. The Vashon squad is now 0-2 for the year.

The evening was sunny and warm, and Vashon fans filled the high school bleachers with hometown enthusiasm, excited for this first chance to see their Pirates take the home field in 2016.

Coach Eastly’s crew responded to the crowd with an opening performance that brought the spectators to their feet cheering.

Vashon kicked off in the first quarter, the setting sun shining in their eyes, and the Eagles claimed a fine position near the 50-­yard line on the return. The Pirates shut down the Eagles’ offense in this first possession, forcing a punt. Bryce Hoisington received near the 10­-yard line and ran into a wall of white Eagles jerseys. He found room to run, and his green uniform appeared to turn Teflon­­ nothing stuck to him. Hoisington ran the ball 90 yards for a Vashon touchdown, then carried it in for two more points on the next play, the game now 8­-0.

Then Vashon saw their fortunes fall and scored no more points in the first half.

Cedar Park found its rhythm on its second possession. Quarterback Jack Flynn unleashed his superior passing game, scoring a touchdown plus two to tie it up: 8­-8. A costly Pirates turnover then gave the ball back to Cedar Park, and the Bothell squad swiftly put up another six points with a touchdown: Eagles 14, Pirates 8.

In the second quarter, Vashon’s possession ended with a backfield fumble, recovered by Cedar Park, culminating with another Eagles touchdown, plus extra point. Vashon seemed to be regrouping as the first half wound down, but gave up the ball with another fumble. Possession was traded back and forth to wind up the first half.

A lone Northern Goshawk made a brief survey of the scene in the darkness at halftime, which both sides quickly took as an omen of victory.

The third quarter began with Vashon possession. Pirates’ quarterback Connor Hoisington took firm control of the action, employing several effective keeper plays. He and his brother, Bryce, made it clear that the Vashon running game was still potent, and Cedar Park had difficulty containing both players. Connor eventually ran the ball in for a touchdown, then tacked on two points: Pirates 16, Eagles 21.

CPC responded with a brief possession and a 60-yard carry by Josiah Sergeant for another Eagles touchdown and extra point, giving them 28, Vashon 16. Vashon kept the ball for the remainder of the third quarter and into the fourth. At one point, Connor Hoisington fumbled a snap, and the ball flew from his grasp deep into the backfield, but he recovered it quickly and got a pass away. This seemed like déjà vu, a repeat from the previous game. In this case, Sol Denhert caught the ball and ran it in for six points. The touchdown, however, was not allowed, as a lineman was downfield illegally, bringing a penalty that nullified the brilliant save. The score remained 28-16.

The Eagles were soon in possession again, and, despite a nice sack by Pirates’ Will Hennessey, marched the ball down the field. CPC quarterback Flynn ran the ball into the endzone himself for the touchdown. The extra point was blocked, making it Eagles 34, Pirates 16.

As the final minutes turned into the final seconds of the game, Vashon took control again and moved the ball downfield in a swift series of plays. Connor and Bryce Hoisington ran the ball effectively, and the endzone was within reach. With only four seconds left, 3 yards from goal, Connor ran in one last touchdown, and with 0.3 seconds left, he ran in the two-point conversion. This rallying effort at the game’s end put the Pirates within 10 points of the Eagles, the final score: Cedar Park Christian 34, Vashon 24.

The Pirates play another game at home Friday at 7 p.m. This will be a non-league game against Mt. Douglas, a Canadian team from British Columbia. League play will begin on Friday, Sept. 23, when the Pirates take on Silverdale’s Klahowya at home.

— Jonathan Kuzma is the father of a Vashon High School football player.