The losing streak continues for the Vashon High School Pirates. The team fell to the Coupeville High School Wolves in Coupeville last Friday, 63-32. Vashon is now 0-5 for the season.
It was a crisp and dry autumn night on Whidbey Island last Friday. Despite the long bus ride north, the Pirates were in fine form at the start of the first quarter. The Wolves kicked off to begin, and Vashon’s Bryce Hoisington, with his kickoff return and carry on the first play, ran the ball up to the 46-yard line of Coupeville territory. But this strong start quickly faded under the dominance of the Wolves. Coupeville forced Vashon to punt on the fourth down. This punt was received by Coupeville’s Chris Battaglia, who ran the ball all the way for a Wolves’ touchdown.
That was the first of three unanswered Coupeville touchdowns (each with an extra point) in the first quarter. The Wolves brought keen pressure on Vashon quarterback Connor Hoisington, who often had to flee deep into the backfield to avoid a defensive rush. The last of the quarter’s touchdowns came when the Wolves rushed Connor near the 10-yard line of Vashon territory. Connor attempted to dump the ball during a sack, which sent the ball bouncing into the endzone. As it was a fumble and not an incomplete pass, the recovery was another touchdown for Coupeville. The score at the end of the first quarter: Coupeville 21, Vashon 0.
The second quarter began with the Pirates in possession, but this ended swiftly with another fourth-down punt. The Wolves took over and soon ran in another touchdown. This was called back on a penalty but, three plays later, the Coupeville squad scored again after a clever double-handoff.
Bryce Hoisington received the kickoff after the Wolves’ fourth touchdown and then ran 80 yards to reach the Coupeville endzone, giving the Pirates their first six points after a two-point conversion attempt failed.
The Wolves soon had an answer for the Pirates. Coupeville quarterback Hunter Downes delivered a beautiful 30-yard pass to his receiver, C. Toomy-Stout, who easily ran it in for a touchdown. Undaunted, Vashon marched the ball confidently downfield over six plays, culminating with a 38-yard run by Bryce for a second Pirates’ touchdown. A fumble foiled their two-point play. The score at the end of the first half: Coupeville 35, Vashon 12.
The second half began with the Wolves in possession. This ended in a turnover, but the Pirates could make no headway and had to punt again. Coupeville made good on its next possession, quickly scoring another seven points. The next Vashon possession ended again with a punt.
The Wolves moved the ball swiftly downfield on their next drive, aided by two penalties against the Pirates, and reached the endzone again. At the end of the third, the score stood at Coupeville 49, Vashon 12.
Going into the fourth quarter, Vashon still had plenty of fight. Connor ran multiple keeper plays to get the team downfield while his brother, Bryce, ran in another touchdown and two-point conversion. The team followed this with a successful onside kick, and Bryce scored again on the next play. The score stood at Coupeville 49, Vashon 26.
The Wolves responded with another seven points, then forced a turnover on the Pirates’ next possession, which led to another Coupeville touchdown.
The Pirates ended the difficult match on a strong note, with Connor running the ball in himself for one last touchdown, no extra point. The final score: Coupeville 63, Vashon 32.
Despite the stunning numbers put up by the Wolves, the Pirates have reason to be proud, as this was their highest scoring game yet this season. This is a young team, mostly freshmen and sophomores, with great promise in years to come.
The Pirates will take on the undefeated Cascade Christian Cougars in Sumner at 7 p.m. Saturday and all islanders are invited to come support the team as a stronger Vashon crowd at away games would go a long way toward boosting morale.
— Jonathan Kuzma is the father of a Vashon High School football player.
