The Vashon High School Pirate football team played its first game on Saturday, losing to Orcas Island in a 42-41 overtime thriller.

Vashon received the opening kick-off and took the opening possession 60 yards for the first score. The drive was highlighted by a 10-yard run for a first down by Nathan Lawson, who last year was a player for Orcas Island and now plays for the Pirates, and a touchdown pass to Garrett Starr. Orcas came right back and scored on its first possession and then scored again in the first quarter to take the lead, 14-7.

In the second quarter, Vashon tied the game on a great drive — Ezra Lacina caught two passes, one for a key first down, and Nick Amundsen, impressive with his speed in the open field, scored on a 5-yard run for the touchdown. Again Orcas came right back and scored. But so did the Pirates on an Amundsen keeper, tying the game at half time 21-21.

Orcas received the second half kick-off, but two plays later Pirate Jason Kruly recovered an Orcas fumble. Amundsen then hit Starr for a 25-yard reception to the 5-yard line, capping the drive with a 5-yard keeper for the touchdown. The extra point was missed, leaving the Pirates leading 27-21. The Pirates had their hands full with a powerful Orcas running back, who gouged the Pirates for big runs throughout the game and led Orcas to its first score of the second half, leading Vashon 28-27.

In the third quarter, Vashon went three and out, leading to an Orcas drive that was stopped at the 12-yard line with a sack by Nathan Jones. Orcas then kicked a field goal to go ahead 31-27.

In the fourth quarter after a failed Vashon drive, Orcas got the ball, then fumbled; Amundsen recovered and ended the drive with his third touchdown and a Vashon lead, 34-31. Pirates stopped Orcas at its 30-yard line, forcing an Orcas field goal, tying the game 34-34. The Pirates got the ball and moved down it to the 10-yard line then fumbled, giving Orcas the ball. Regulation time ran out before Orcas could score.

The Pirates got the ball first in overtime, and on 4th down Starr caught a pass at the 5 for a first down, capped by a pass from Amundsen to Lacina for the touchdown; the extra point by Clyde Pruett was good. Orcas got the ball and scored, then attempted a 2-point conversion that was good, winning the game 42-41.

The Pirates play their first home game Friday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m.