The highly anticipated match-up between the Vashon Pirates’ and Nisqually League powerhouse Cascade Christian took place last Friday in an ark-worthy deluge on the Pirates home field. A sparse Homecoming crowd saw the Pirates lose the game by a final score of 56-16.

The team had spent most of the week wondering if they would have enough healthy players to even field a team. By game time, there were 16 available.

Vashon was able to move the ball effectively in its first series behind the running of Nate Lawson, Arthur Moore and Bryce Hoisington, before being forced to punt.

The Cascade Christian Cougars lived up to their hype by scoring every time they touched the ball. They didn’t so much keep the ball in a series of possessions, but would run a play and score each time they got the ball. Their first play was an 80-yard run for a touchdown. The score was 21-0 in the first 7 minutes of the game. By halftime, the score was a withering 49-0.

After the first half, the Cougars dialed it back a little, bringing in their bench players, which resulted in a much more even contest.

Cascade did score again early in the second half, but the Pirates held them for the rest of the third quarter with the scoreboard at 56-0. The Pirates controlled the fourth quarter from the outset. The same group of exhausted players who had fought through the elements and a superior opponent rallied themselves and played a great final 12 minutes.

The Pirates got on the board thanks to a slick run by Nate Lawson, who snuck in the side of the end zone.  Chester Pruett scored the 2-point conversion. A massive 50-yard run by Hoisington later in the quarter set up Vashon’s second score as he ran the ball into the end zone a few plays later.  He followed that up by running in the extra point conversion.

The punting by Chester Pruett, who managed to get off a couple of great kicks, were additional bright spots in the game. Senior Jason Kruly had a couple of come-from-behind tackles that put off the eventual Cougar score. Freshman Carlos Hernandez, fresh off the injured list, had a good game with a key reception, and he resumed his kickoff duties. Arthur Moore had an impressive 40-yard kickoff return. Connor Hoisington and Hunter Stanley each were credited with a couple of nice tackles.

The last home game of the season is this Friday against Chimacum High School. Spirits are high as the Cowboys are also winless on their season, and it is shaping up to be a battle for 53rd place in the state. Game time is an early 6 p.m., and pregame activities will honor the senior football players and cheerleaders.

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