“I feel like the game plan we had in place worked as we had hoped it would—I think that was evident in the first half,” said Grants High School head football coach Steve Brown of the team’s first win this season.
The Pirates scored 12 points in the first quarter and 18 points in the second quarter while the defense kept Miyamura scoreless.
The Pirates according to Brown, were “able to move the ball at almost at will” as they marched down the field to a 30-0 lead at halftime.
“We didn’t make any adjustments at halftime,” said Brown. “We told them to stay focused on their assignments and locked in—-because Miyamura would make adjustments and we would need to be ready for them.”
The adjustments Miyamura made allowed for their defenders to grab two interceptions in the third quarter and hold the Pirates to zero points for that quarter.
“We came out flat and overconfident and gave up two quick scores,” said Coach Brown of the start to that third quarter. “However, we were able to settle down and not panic and jumped right back into the game–and shut them down after that.”
Tristin Fernandez, senior quarterback went 13 of 23 for over 180 yards passing with two passing touchdowns as well he added two rushing touchdowns for the night.
“I feel that overall, I had a decent game–there is always room to work more—I threw two picks and I got to take full responsibility,” said Fernandez of his performance in that game.
Others scoring touchdowns for the Pirates were freshman Julian Fernandez with a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown for a total of two touchdowns. Isaiah Ortega had one receiving touchdown.
Brown was also satisfied with his running backs running 207 yards and the offense putting up 36 points–in comparison the Pirates averaged 16 points last season.
There were setbacks Brown indicated, as penalties “cost us badly” and the team will focus on remedying those this week at practice.
The Pirates next game, the first home game of the season, will be against St. Pius, who by all accounts, is a top team this season. “St. Pius will be a very tough opponent, but I am confident we can compete with them at a high level,” said Brown. “I also feel that we are just as talented.”
Brown is asking for a packed house from Pirates fans for this first home game of the season.
Game time is Friday, August 29 at 7 pm at the Port of the Pirates.