GRANTS, N.M. - The fourth game of the season for the Grants High School Pirates was almost over as fast as it started, however, mother nature had a thing or two to say about that. A mini tornado, hail and lightning postponed the game after the Pirates went up 26 in the first quarter.
The game was a district game and had to be played and it was rescheduled for Saturday at 2pm.
“Offensively we know they could not match our speed and we took advantage of that,” said GHS head football coach Steve Brown of that lopsided win.
The Pirates added eight points in the third quarter and six in the third quarter and in the finale added 14 points in the fourth quarter.
“Going into the game with Espanola, we knew they were going to be different,” said Brown. “The new coach, Holbrook, has done away with the T offense that they have run there for years–he brought the spread offense–our defense is built more to defend the modern style spread offense.”
The Pirate defense was certainly “comfortable” as they held Espanola scoreless.
“In a game like this you have to find things to do to help your club and I felt we did that,” said Brown. “We were able to get DJ Chavez in as quarterback and he went 3 for 4 with a touchdown to end the game.”
Chavez passed for 100 yards and senior quarterback Tristen Fernandez had 205 yards passing and went 9 for 12.
Scoring touchdowns for the Pirates were Julian Fernandez and Joe Clawson with rushing touchdowns.
Seniors Isaiah Ortega and Cardenio Chavez had two receiving touchdowns a piece and Shad Merayo had one.
The Pirates will host the 1-3 Kirtland Broncos this Friday for their homecoming game. “Looking ahead to KC, we will not try to overlook them,” said Brown. “They are ranked 15th in the state but for some reason always play us very hard and always have their best game of their season on us.”
Brown added that the team will have to be prepared “for a battle” in order to make homecoming a success.
The Pirates are ranked 4th in 4A in the New Mexico Overtime Sports coaches poll.