Vashon took the worst pounding of its early season last Friday when the Pirates played a non-league game against the Mount Douglas Rams from Victoria, B.C., losing at home 49-12.

The versatile Canadians owned the field with their powerful passing game and impressive defensive line. The VHS football program is now 0-3 for the season.

The Rams, ranked fourth in British Columbia, kicked off to start the game. Their players average about 20 pounds heavier than the Pirates and the Rams have twice as many players weighing over 200 pounds. This size difference had a dramatic impact on the Vashon offense, shutting down the Pirates’ first possession.

Vashon’s offense has one reliable strength — which the Rams neutralized — and one consistent flaw — which undercut the Pirates’ efforts. The sole strength is a running game powered by the talented Hoisington brothers: Connor as quarterback, Bryce as running back. The Rams focused their attacks on the Hoisingtons and the two had trouble finding room to run.

The consistent flaw of the Pirates’ offense is an inability to reliably execute the shotgun snap. This has been a problem in every game this season, with the center often delivering balls over the head of the quarterback. Connor clearly must expect anything on a snap, often leaping up to meet the ball. Many a snap sends the ball into the backfield with the quarterback scrambling to retrieve it.

A shoulder injury to senior Colin Voynick was also a costly loss for Vashon early in the game, taking out a much-needed receiver.

Upon its first possession, Mount Douglas marched swiftly downfield as Rams quarterback Gideone Kremler demonstrated an enviable proficiency at passing. The Rams scored a touchdown, then passed the ball into the end zone for two more. That last play was called back on a most unusual penalty: snap infraction. The Rams’ center snapped the ball to a running back at his left, without the ball passing through his legs as required. A sideline referee was heard to say, “I’ve heard of that penalty, but never seen it called.” The Rams were allowed to redo the play and kicked an extra point. The first quarter ended with Rams 7, Pirates 0.

Mount Douglas had possession at the start of the second quarter, and another seven points followed. Vashon’s Bryce Hoisington then had a big run into the endzone, but the edge of his right foot grazed the out-of-bounds line, so no touchdown was scored. The score at the end of the first half: Rams 14, Pirates 0.

The second half began with another Rams possession and the team’s Sebastian Hansen scoring a touchdown: Rams 21, Pirates 0.

Vashon then took possession, and Connor proved that a Hoisington can never be fully contained. The Vashon quarterback faked a handoff, then ran 70 yards for a touchdown that had the hometown fans erupting with cheers. A two-point attempt was stopped by the Rams and the Pirates were trailing by 15.

Mount Douglas scored again on their next possession, bringing their total to 28. A brilliant 60-yard kickoff return by Bryce put Vashon in nice field position, but hopes were dashed when he took a hard hit and did not rise. Concern mounted as he lay on the field for many minutes, causing the longest delay in the game. Eventually he took to his feet with assistance, but was out for the game: a very disheartening blow for the Pirates.

The third quarter saw a succession of Mount Douglas touchdowns denied due to holding penalties, until they earned a touchdown that counted.

Upon Vashon’s next possession, the ball was intercepted, leading swiftly to another seven points for the Canadian Rams. The painful third quarter ended.

At the top of the fourth quarter, Connor moved the Pirates downfield, aided by penalties against the Rams, and ran the ball into the endzone himself for a touchdown. No extra points were possible due to another botched snap.

The Rams scored again before game’s end. Final score: Rams 49, Pirates 12.

The Pirates play their first league game of the season at home at 7p.m. Friday. They will face the Eagles of Klahowya High School.

— Jonathan Kuzma is the father of a Vashon High School football player.