There's Toney Tiger, Bengal Tigers, and then there are the third ranked Taos Tigers.
The latter made their way Grants High School to the Port of the Pirates last week and it was a true battle for four quarters as the rested Pirates, who had a bye last week, scored a touchdown and an extra point every quarter for the first three quarters for 21-19 victory over the proven Tigers.
“Well after watching the film on them (Taos) we felt we could have success running the ball– and we did—to the tune of 231 yards and two touchdowns,” said GHS head coach Steve Brown.
The first touchdown came off a 63-yard catch and run- as junior quarterback Tristin Fernandez found receiver Cardenio Chavez for the touchdown. 7-0 Pirates. In the second quarter off a muffed kickoff return by the Pirates Taos was able to recover and score a touchdown. However, the two-point conversion was stopped. 7-6 Pirates.
The second quarter had Joe Clawson run it in for 23 yards and the second touchdown of the night followed by the extra point. 14-6 Pirates.
In the third quarter Fernandez made his way from the one-yard line for a touchdown on a quarterback sneak 21-13 Pirates. The crucial fourth quarter the Taos drives were turned away and Noah Lundstrom, a senior, had an intersection with under three minutes left in the quarter, his second of the night icing the Tigers. The Pirates were unable to run the clock off and Taos was able to score a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Pirates 21 Taos 19. The Tigers needed a two-point conversion to tie. The Pirates defense held up and the 2point conversion was unsuccessful. The GHS Pirates defeat the third ranked tigers.
The Pirates were not only capable offensively, the defense shined strongly as they played their best game to date holding the Tigers offense in check.
“Our defense played very well,” said Brown “Our defense was designed well to handle anything they tried—we forced three turnovers— we had our defense laying lights out.” Brown praised his defensive coordinator Rosendo Jaramillo for a great job preparing Taos. “They [defensive line] called and played a great game.
“I think the game went according to plan for the most part,” said Brown. “The issues we need to focus on for next week are not turning the ball over, and we are killing ourselves with penalties,” said Brown.
Next for the Pirates is their homecoming game against district rival, the Moriarty Pintos (3-4,1-3), who are ranked 10th. The game is on Saturday, October 19 at 2pm.
This is homecoming week at GHS.
“Moriarity has been a tough team to compete with–they run the wing T offense–they run it correctly,’ said Brown “They are no joke.”
The Pirates are 4-3, 31 and are ranked seventh in the 4A and 3rd in district 1 4A.