After weeks of steadily improving play, the Vashon Pirates finally notched their first win of the season.
Last Friday the Pirates hosted Earl Marriott Secondary School from Surrey, British Columbia, and won the evenly matched duel, 22-12.
It was a full team effort with every player making contributions throughout the tight game. First year quarterback Chester Pruett led the attack going six for eight in passing with just over 100 yards and two passes for touchdowns. He also ran the ball for multiple first downs and almost 150 total yards.
Senior Nate Lawson was back in running form with another big yardage game after missing a week due to injury. He had multiple carries on the night and two huge receptions, the first for 16 yards that brought the Pirates out of an unfortunate first and 20 situation, and the other came when the Pirates were facing second and 20.
Sophomore Bryce Hoisington continued his stellar play on both sides of the ball, with multiple carries for positive yardage and several key receptions, two for touchdowns. Junior Arthur Moore made several key contributions offensively and defensively. He had a tipped pass, broke up several plays and made two crucial stops on defense.
The line was active with huge stops for loss by Jason Kruly, Ronnie Krieger and Logan Nelson. Kruly also recovered a fumble forced by Hoisington. With regular starting center Franklin Easton sidelined with injury, freshman Cody Whitman stepped up and saw his first action of the year in that position, performing seamlessly. Junior Hunter Stanley was impressive on the pass rush, twice shucking his defender and driving the opposing quarterback back and forcing poor throws. Sophomore Kellan Riley shined on defense with excellent pass protection, cleanly breaking up more than one attempted reception.
The Pirates scored first on a Hoisington run with just less than two minutes to go in the first quarter. Pruett made the two-point conversion, and the score was 8-0 Pirates. The second touchdown was a pass completion Pruett to Hoisington, but the extra point conversion was no good. The score was 14-0 with one minute to go in the first half.
With eight minutes to go in the third quarter, Marriott’s star running back rumbled up the middle untouched for their first score of the night. They failed to convert the extra points. The score was 14-6 at the end of the third quarter.
The Pirates final touchdown of the night was another pass completion, Pruett to Hoisington, in the corner of the endzone, with Pruett taking in the two-point conversion. The score was 22-6 with 4:32 left on the clock.
On the ensuing Marriott possession, they completed a huge pass play that took the ball all the way down field before being stopped inside the 10-yard line. They scored on the next set of downs, but Krieger stuffed their extra point conversion attempt, and The Pirates were left to run out the clock and take their first victory of the season.
The Pirates play Charles Wright at home at 7 p.m. Friday at the high school stadium. There is a public tailgate event at Sporty’s between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. that evening, and all are welcome.
— Cheryl Pruett is the mother of two Pirate football team members.
