By CHERYL PRUETT
For The Beachcomber
On a misty evening at the Vashon High School Pirates’ home stadium last Friday, the Pirates sank the Earl Marriott Secondary Mariners, a British Columbia team, 56-30.
The Pirates were dominant throughout the game, quickly running the score to 30-0 in the first quarter before putting in players who had not seen much field time. In fact, it was a game where every eligible Pirate played, and many turned in great performances.
Fumbles and turnovers continued to be an issue for the team, but proved to be less costly this week than in previous games.
Vashon’s first score of the night came courtesy of a 68-yard scamper by freshman Adrian St. Germain early in the first quarter. The extra point conversion was no good, but the Pirates were on the board 6-0. Pirates’ runningback Bryce Hoisington scored three touchdowns in a row after that, all within the first quarter, and with three extra point conversions, the score was 30-0.
The Mariners settled in during the second quarter, working against the visibly nervous rookie Pirate crew that had just been sent onto the field, and scored early in the second quarter putting six up on the board. Backup quarterback Elliot Eades took the helm of the Pirates’ ship for the first time and scored a 38-yard rushing touchdown with six minutes to go in the half, making the score 36-6.
The Mariners answered right back with a huge pass play for six and a score of 36-12 at halftime. The second half started with an impressive 68-yard run by Marriott that put them in the end zone and six more on the board, bringing the score to 36-18, Vashon. VHS senior Chester Pruett then stepped in as quarterback for a couple of possessions, putting together some beautiful runs and capping it with a jaunt to the end zone for the Pirates’ sixth touchdown of the night. With 25 seconds to go in the third quarter, the score was 42-18, Pirates.
But Earl Marriott was not done yet. The young Pirate defense had trouble protecting against the big yardage plays, and the Mariners scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter on huge pass plays within a two-minute period. The score with eight minutes to go in the game was 42-30, Vashon.
Connor Hoisington was welcomed back into the game with a sack, then he handed the ball to St. Germain, who ran the length of the field for his second touchdown of the night. With the extra points and seven minutes to go, the score was 50-30, Vashon.
Freshman Eades came back on the field and scored the Pirates’ final touchdown of the night, bringing the final score to 56-30.
Multiple players had notable accomplishments during the Friday game, including Simon Perrin, who shined during kickoff returns and had an interception in the first quarter; Will Hennessey made some big tackles and a fumble recovery; Armando Oatman had multiple strong runs; Matt Kruly had key stops on defense; Colin Voynick stopped a huge Mariner run and saved a sure touchdown; Joe Ghigleri made a couple of beautiful tackles; Adon Ellis had a couple nice runs for positive yardage as well as a nice tackle in the backfield; and Gerry Gerrior got in a couple nice runs.
This Friday, the varsity Pirates travel to Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma for a 7 p.m. rematch on the Tarriers home turf.
The JV Pirates will play at home at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12.
— Cheryl Pruett is the parent of two VHS football players.
