Friday nights have a little more swing to them as the high school football season takes off. This past Friday saw a packed stadium as an upbeat and energetic Grants High School Pirate football team took to the field in their season opener against the 6-A Capital Jaguars. The Pirates led at the half 17-13 however they were unable to keep the momentum from the first half and fell to the Jags by a score of 33-17.
“Well, the obvious goal was met that we got to play a full game of football against a very tough 6A level opponent---we were competitive throughout the game,” said GHS head football coach Steve Brown. “I am happy with the way our players fought to the end—we will make some fixes and continue to improve.”
GHS senior and free safety Manuel Gonzales jump started the Pirates with a 16-yard interception with 3:20 on the clock in the first quarter for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, making the score 6-0. Capital answered back with a short pass from quarterback Deaven Montano to Joseph Rodriguez for a touchdown and extra point to make the score 76 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Jaguars roared with another touchdown making the score 13-6 after the extra point attempt was no good. With 2:40 left in the second quarter senior quarterback Julian Padilla hit the reliable hands Manuel Gonzales for a touchdown. Andres Lazos ran it in for a cool 2 points making the score 14-13 Pirates. In the final 20 seconds of the 2nd quarter Noah Lundstrom booted a field goal to make the score 17-13.
“The talk at the half was that we could be satisfied with our first half performance and that Capital was going to come out punching and the result would be on how we responded— nothing much changed-except our mojo—we came out with lots of energy in the first half that was not matched in the second half,” said Brown.
The third quarter with 8:29 on the clock Capital punched it in from the 5yard line for a touchdown and with the combined extra point took the lead 20-17. Capital again with 4:43 on the clock scored a 25-yard pass to score their second touchdown in the third quarter and added an extra point to make the score 27-17.
In the fourth quarter, Capital had the final score of the night with a 15yard pass to a touchdown without the benefit of a extra point to make the final score 33-17.
The Pirates started with sophomore quarterback Deandre Chavez who had 4 completes, 12 attempts and 64 yards while Padilla at the quarter back position had 1 completion 2 attempts and 1 touch down for a total of 57 yards.
“We had not planned on using two quarterbacks, but when Chavez got a bit banged up we put Padilla in---we are very confident in both their abilities so there is no visible drop off when either of them is in,” said Brown.
Highlights for the Pirates included Manuel Gonzales with an interception for a 16-yard touchdown and one reception for 57-yards and an offensive touchdown. Julian Padilla with a pass to Gonzales for a touchdown. Andres Lazos had 14 carries for 52-yards and a two-point conversion. Isaiah Aldaz had 113-all-purpose-yards with a kick-off return. Noah Lundstrom hit a 25yard field goal.
Next up for the Pirates will be the Gallup Bengals (0-1) this Saturday in the homecoming game at the Port of the Pirates.
“Gallup will be another opportunity for us to get better—they tend to come out more scrappy as it is our homecoming game---we will need to be prepared for a dog fight,” said Brown.
GHS Volleyball will be starting later this week with an away game to Wingate High School at 6 p.m.