Football: Costly turnovers cause Pirates to fall to Chimacum

Published 9:28 am Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Once again, the Pirates proved that the name of the game is turnovers. Friday’s away game in Port Townsend had two onside kicks, a muffed punt return, a fumble and an interception that proved to be the difference in the game as Vashon lost a close one to the Chimacum Cowboys, 45-38.

After two weeks of futile offensive efforts, Vashon bounced back, putting 38 points on the board. Bryce Hoisington was back in form, finding holes and slipping through defenders, piling up an impressive 369 rushing yards. Freshman Adrian St. Germain continued to impress with his play on both sides of the ball with multiple tackles, two interceptions and more than 100 rushing yards.

The game started with Vashon’s quarterback, Connor Hoisington, making the first score of the night as he slipped up the middle for a touchdown just four minutes into the game. The extra point conversion was good, and the Pirates were up 8-0.

Exactly 16 seconds later, Chimacum took the kickoff 57 yards back for a Cowboy touchdown, and the score was tied at 8-8.

St. Germain returned the favor, taking the next kickoff back on an impressive run deep into the red zone. Bryce Hoisington found the end zone on the next play, but the score was called back on a Vashon penalty. Two plays later he was in for good, and with the extra points converted, the Pirates led 16-8 with six minutes to go in the first quarter.

Chimacum was able to convert a couple of first downs, but lively defensive pressure by Clyde Pruett forced a huge fourth and 30 situation and a Chimacum punt.

Bryce Hoisington took control on the next set of downs, and on fourth and 5, ran untouched for his second score of the night. With almost three minutes still to go in the first quarter, the score was 24-8.

The game settled into a back-and-forth rhythm until St. Germain pulled down an interception, giving Vashon the ball. Unfortunately, three successive Vashon penalties capped by a fumble recovered by Chimacum led to a Cowboy score at the midpoint of the second quarter. The score, 24-16.

Not to be outdone, Bryce Hoisington and the Pirates scored again one minute later on a huge scamper down the far sideline. The two-point conversion by Logan Nelson was good, and the Pirates extended their lead 32-16. Chimacum marched down field on their next possession, making it into the end zone with three minutes to go until the half, bringing the score to 32-24. One minute later, thanks to the Cowboys recovering their own onside kick and bad pass coverage by the Pirates, Chimacum scored again, and with the extra points, the score was tied at 32.

Vashon’s next possession came up 2 feet short on conversion, and the Pirates turned the ball over on downs. After a huge pass play brought Chimacum close to scoring, the defense rose up and Joe Ghigleri sacked the Cowboys’ quarterback, allowing St. Germain to snag his second pick of the night, saving a sure Cowboy score.

The rain came with the start of the second half, and Vashon’s final score of the night came on a pass play to Pruett at the midpoint of the third quarter. The extra points were no good, and the score was 38-32.

Chimacum answered right back, scoring one minute later. Vashon’s defense stuffed their extra point attempt, and the game was tied again at 38. Things were looking up for the Pirates when Bryce Hoisington recovered a fumble, giving Vashon the ball and hopeful momentum. As has been the horrific theme for most of the season, Vashon fumbled the ball on the very next snap, leading to the Cowboys’ final score of the night. Their point conversion attempt was good, and they took the lead 45-38.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair with neither team able to successfully move the ball. A costly muffed punt return followed by a personal foul call on Vashon late in the game killed their momentum.

The defense held strong on Chimacum’s final possession, and the Pirates took the ball over on downs deep in their own territory with a little over two minutes to go in the game. Bryce Hoisington took the game on his shoulders and made valiant runs to midfield, but the clock was the opponent, and the final drive ended just short.

The Pirates have one last game, scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov, 6, at the VHS stadium.

The opponent will be determined by the results of playoff games in other leagues.

— Cheryl Pruett is the mother of two VHS varsity football players.