Seven is a lucky number in slots and craps, and if you are the Grants High School Pirates football team, that is also a lucky number.
The Pirates received a seventh seed to Nusenda Credit Union’s 4A state football playoffs. Why is seventh lucky? I’ll tell you why. The seventh seeded team will host the 10th seeded team, in this case, the Silver Colts — formerly Silver City Colts.
Why is hosting the first game crucial you may ask? Ask anyone across any sport, especially football, playing at home is a HUGE advantage.
Just to prove it, we asked GHS head football coach Steve Brown, who said, “We are truly blessed for a 2nd year in a row—we get to host a playoff game!” said Brown “We are certainly looking for a better outcome this year.”
Last year the Pirates had a quick exit after losing to Albuquerque Academy 35-7 in the first round of the playoffs.
What are the Pirates planning for?
“Silver is always a tough matchup…. those southern teams are always very good,” said Brown. “They run mixed formations on offense, and they run them very well—they run game is solid—so that will be our focus at practice.”
Brown noted that the defense of the Pirates “will be up to the task—(defense) has been our strength all season.” The Pirates plan to stop running and force the Colts to a passing game.
Brown added, “We will take to the field Saturday and play our guys out to get that win.”
The Pirates most recently played the number one team in the state and the number one team in their district (5 4A) the Bloomfield Bobcats who were undefeated at 9-0 and 7-0. The Pirates lost that game 41-6.
“We were there with Bloomfield until their sheer numbers of players they have to sub in and out—we had to play iron man football.” Not to mention that the Bobcat’s quarterback, Blake Spencer, who has ties to the community, is the number one quarterback in 4A and has had an impressive senior year.
“The games with Bloomfield, Taos, Bernalillo prove we can play with anyone in the state when we are focused and locked in,” said Brown.
The Pirates come in at 5-5, 4-3 and the Colts come in at 46, 2-4.
Game time is 1 pm at the Port of the Pirates this upcoming Saturday, November 9. The game is red out for fans attending the game.