By Martin Barrett.
It took the 7th-ranked Highline Pirates only 13 plays to rack up 42 points and 152 total yards in the first quarter against the Foster Bulldogs. Coach Deontae Cooper’s offense was highly efficient, with a respectable 3.2 points per play. The Bulldogs struggled from the opening kickoff, and by the end of Q1, they had a net 3 yards on 21 plays. Foster never advanced past their own 35-yard line.
Scoring for the Pirates came quickly. On their first play from scrimmage, Jamaine Matthews took the ball on a 36-yard trot into the end zone. Kicker Joshiah Maginniss continued his season perfect Point After Touchdown to make it 7-0 Pirates. Foster, who failed to claim a first down in the quarter, punted after three plays, and shortly after, Nate Clay took the ball home from the five-yard line. In rapid succession through the quarter, Ronan Rasmussen ran it in from the 2, Matthews from the 13, Marquawn McCraney added a reception for a 37-yard TD, and Adam Estrada took a 22-yard pass for six points. Pirates 42, Bulldogs 0.
On defense, Vilisoni Angilau spent much of the first half in the Foster backfield, bagging two sacks and forcing a fumble. He was joined by Yannis Togi with a couple of behind-the-line tackles. McCraney and Marcus Moss added fumble recoveries. McCraney also snagged one from a Bulldog receiver for an interception.
The Pirates finished up the half with two more scores. Matthews struck again from the 3-yard line, and Quarterback Junior Houth hit McCraney for a 7-yard passing touchdown. The half ended with the score Pirates 56, Bulldogs 0.
In the second half, the Pirates leaned into the ground game to keep the clock running. All the same, Q3 added 14 more points with running scores of 16 and 5 yards by Matthews and Clay, respectively. At the end of Q3, Pirates 70, Bulldogs 0.
In the fourth quarter, the Pirates fumbled the ball on the 47. Fosters Joey Marshall ran off 31 yards in two plays, and the Bulldogs had momentum. But Highline intercepted on the 2-yard line. The Pirates then ran the ball on successive plays, taking a knee after a few yards of gain so as not to run up the score. All the same, the Pirates scored once more to end the game 76-0.
The final regular season game for the Pirates is Thursday, October 26, at 6 p.m. at Highline Stadium.
