By CHERYL PRUETT
The Pirate football team took another tough knock last week, dropping a game to Port Angeles High School by a final score of 42-8.
Vashon kicked off to start the game with senior Nate Lawson hitting the receiver for no return. Port Angeles scored quickly in its first possession of the game with a 20-yard run followed by a 20-yard pass play. The point after was no good. The Pirates first drive went nowhere, and they turned the ball over on downs. Port Angeles scored another touchdown almost immediately, managed the two-point conversion, and the score was 14-0 within the first eight minutes.
Bright spots of the first half were sophomore Bryce Hoisington with a big sack for a 10-yard loss as well as positive yards running for the Pirates. Chester Pruett had a couple of nice punts of over 30 yards. After a second quarter of sacks, fumbles and an interception, the Pirates were down 35-0.
During the second half, the Pirates started to get their feet under themselves. The team was able to capitalize on some Port Angeles mistakes and penalties and get into decent field position. Workhorse running backs Lawson and Hoisington continued to make runs for short but consistent yardage. Vashon worked its way down to the 28-yard line on a three-yard run by Lawson. With the ball on the 28 it was third and 7 when quarterback Pruett salvaged a broken play with a 13-yard run to the 15 and a first down. Unfortunately, Vashon was unable to get it into the end zone and turned the ball over on downs. Port Angeles completed a 90-yard pass play for its final score of the game, 42-0.
Hoisington rallied the team with a massive run of 30 yards followed by a 12-yard stretch. Lawson got the ball into the end zone for the Pirates’ only touchdown, and Hoisington punched in the 2-point conversion. In the fourth quarter, sophomore running back Hoisington took the ball 50 yards down field, jumping defenders and cutting the field, reaching the end zone only to have his efforts called back due to a defensive penalty.
Vashon had 18 players suited up for play this week. After two weeks of playing much larger, more experienced teams, the Pirate squad looks forward to its first Nisqually League competition this Friday at Charles Wright.
— Cheryl Pruett is the mother of two Pirate football players.
