Pirates Hand Tigers 5th loss, 28-6

  • Pirates Ahoy! The Pirates chalked up a 28-6 win against district rival, the Aztec Tigers (0-5,0-3) this past Friday at the Port of the Pirates. 'I am pleased with how we played against Aztec,'I am pleased with how we played against Aztec,' said GHS Head Football Coach Steve Brown. In this photo Boudy Melonas, 3, hustles down the field as Cardeno Chavez, 2 blocks for him. Franklin Romero - CC
    Pirates Ahoy! The Pirates chalked up a 28-6 win against district rival, the Aztec Tigers (0-5,0-3) this past Friday at the Port of the Pirates. 'I am pleased with how we played against Aztec,'I am pleased with how we played against Aztec,' said GHS Head Football Coach Steve Brown. In this photo Boudy Melonas, 3, hustles down the field as Cardeno Chavez, 2 blocks for him. Franklin Romero - CC
  • Let's Go! GHS quarterback Trisitin Fernandez, 5, readies himself to hand off the ball to Joe Clawson, 23, this past Friday at the Port of the Pirates as the Pirates hosted the Aztec Tigers. The Pirate defeated the Tigers 28-6. Franklin Romero - CC
    Let's Go! GHS quarterback Trisitin Fernandez, 5, readies himself to hand off the ball to Joe Clawson, 23, this past Friday at the Port of the Pirates as the Pirates hosted the Aztec Tigers. The Pirate defeated the Tigers 28-6. Franklin Romero - CC
  • The Pirate football defensive line in action last Friday in a home game. The Pirate defense was able to hold the visiting Aztec Tigers to six points. Next up for the Pirates will be district rival the Taos Tigers (3-2,1-1) on October 11 at home. Franklin Romero - CC
    The Pirate football defensive line in action last Friday in a home game. The Pirate defense was able to hold the visiting Aztec Tigers to six points. Next up for the Pirates will be district rival the Taos Tigers (3-2,1-1) on October 11 at home. Franklin Romero - CC

    The Pirates advance to 3-3,1-2 after this past weekend’s defeat of the winless Aztec Tigers.

    Grants High School Head Coach Steve Brown said of the game, “It was a game that we were not allowed to get in rhythm offensively.” Brown said the offense was “slowed down” by penalties and that affected the team's momentum.

    “We need to fix that going forward if we want to be successful with down the stretch,” said Brown “It’s hard hard—literally— how a team can have three times the penalties called against you as the other team.”

    The Pirates scored a touchdown every quarter and held Aztec to a sole touchdown in the third quarter. The Aztec extra point attempt was no good and 6 was all the Tigers could score.

    Tristin Fernandez, the junior quarterback had 20 attempts with 10 completions for a 150-yards passing. Fernandez also had 77 yards rushing and a 41yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter for the Pirates. Boudy Melonas, a wide receiver for the Pirates, had two receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown.

    Running back Joe Clawson, had one touchdown and rushed for 82yards.

    Julian Fernandez, an eighth grader, tallied up 134-yards rushing this game and a touchdown at the one-yard line. Senior Cardenio Chavez had a great night with six receptions and two interceptions.

    Senior Noah Lundstrom was four for four in extra point attempts.

    Brown added, “The play from our offensive line has improved dramatically in the past two weeks—this showed up well for us in this game as senior running back Andres Lazos is nursing a banged-up knee.” The Pirates have a bye this week and will host the number four team in 4A, the Taos Tigers (3-2, 1-1) on October 11.

    “They are big, strong and fast and coached very well,” said Brown of the Tigers. “They will make a very tough opponent for us—but I feel we are right where we want to be at this time of year.” The Pirates plan on getting healthy and prepare to play “our best game” against them.

    Cibola County Sports Wrap-Up

    The GHS cross country team participated in the Rio Rancho Jamboree on September 21.

    Notables for the Pirates were Sianalee Chavez for the Lady Pirates who placed second in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 22:26.50. Alana Victorino placed fourth in that race with a time of 22:33.00. John Paul Miller on the boys’ team placed fourth in the boys 5,000 meter run with a time of 18:38.30.