By CHERYL PRUETT
For The Beachcomber

Game time temperature was a sweltering 85 degrees as Vashon took on Goldendale in Naches on Saturday. It was 17 Pirates versus 50 Timberwolves. The stands were bathed in purple with at least 100 Goldendale supporters and about a dozen tie-dyed Vashon faithful.

The game was off to an inauspicious start as running back Bryce Hoisington took the kickoff, made a nice return only to have the ball stripped away and recovered by Goldendale. Fortunately for The Pirates, the Timberwolves went nowhere with their first possession with a horrific snap on fourth down, sending the ball 20 yards past the quarterback’s head. The Pirates took over with good field position, made a first down, then on third down, an epic line fail resulted in the first of five quarterback sacks. Under heavy pressure, Pirate punter Chester Pruett got off a scrambling running kick that bounced within inches of the end zone before barely tipping in, giving Goldendale the ball on the 20 yard line.

Goldendale marched down the field completing first downs until Arthur Moore picked an errant throw on the 5-yard line and ran the ball back 45 yards to mid-field. On The Pirates next possession, quarterback Pruett went down under a pile of purple for the second time, and the ball was turned over on downs. Goldendale’s next drive was stifled by Vashon’s defense.

With The Pirates’ next possession, things got rolling with a full team effort converting five successive first downs. Moore, Bryce Hoisington, Pruett and Darren May all rumbled for yardage, ending with a big run by May for his first touchdown of the season. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful, but The Pirates were on the board, 6-0.

Carlos Hernandez, in his first game as a Pirate, had a beautiful kickoff, but it was returned 20 yards by Goldendale. They were able to convert four first downs and got into the end zone with a pass on fourth and 7. Their extra point was good, and the score was 8-6 Timberwolves.

Moore received the ensuing Goldendale kickoff and brought it back for short yardage. On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Pruett received his third sack, leading to an eventual punt on fourth and 11. Goldendale scored on their next possession, making it 14-6 with a minute to go in the first half.

The Pirates kicked off to start the third quarter and quickly pounced on Goldendale runners. Tackles by Pruett and Connor Hoisington and a big tackle for loss by junior Ronnie Krieger forced the Timberwolves to turn the ball over on downs. After making three first downs, The Pirates fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Goldendale. Vashon continued to scrabble back. On the next possession, senior Jason Kruly rolled over Goldendale’s quarterback, resulting in a fourth and 16. With a favorable punt, Vashon got the ball on the 50.

Down markers were moved a few times thanks to the running of Bryce Hoisington, Moore, May and Pruett, until Pruett was sacked again. On the next play, Vashon dodged a bullet when the Timberwolves had a touchdown called back on a holding call. With the Timberwolves facing a first and 20, Franklin Easton forced a no gain, at second and 20 another big sack for Kruly, and at third and 22 a pass play was stopped by Logan Nelson and Connor Hoisington. Forced to punt, Moore had a beautiful return.

Pruett then threw his first of two interceptions, quickly turning the ball back to the T-Wolves.

Goldendale went nowhere on their possession. Vashon settled in and behind the running of Bryce Hoisington (over 40 carries on the day), and they marched down the field. Hoisington’s big run of the day came when his team needed it most. With The Pirates backed up on a holding call facing second and 22, he busted a 26-yard beauty down the far sideline. With 1:56 left to go, he punched in the touchdown and converted the extra points to tie the game. The small Vashon sideline erupted.

Goldendale special teams had carried their day, and on the kick off by Hernandez, they ran it all the way back before Moore made a shoelace snag stop. With the ball on the 25-yard line, The Pirates had them driven back and at third and 10 before an unfortunate pass interference call gave them the ball on the 10 and the first down. The next play was a contested late-hit penalty that brought them to the 5. They scored and got the extra points, bringing the score to 22-14 with one minute to go.

Moore received the kickoff and ran back 5 yards. With The Pirates at midfield, all were hoping for a Manning-like one-minute drive and fantastic finish. However, on the second play from down, Pruett threw his second interception. With Goldendale having the ball in victory formation, the clock ran out on an exciting Pirate football game.

The Pirates play this Friday at home against a team from Surrey, British Columbia. Game time is 6 p.m.

— Cheryl Pruett is the mother of two Pirate football players.