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Seniors Tyler Everhart (21) and William Archuleta (44) in a defensive play this past Friday at the Port of the Pirates. The Pirates lost their season opener to 5-A Capital Jaguars 55-20 this past Friday at the Port of the Pirates. Franklin Romero - CC
The Pirates, despite scoring first, lost their season opener against the 5-A Capital Jaguars, 55-20. “There is a lot of good that came from this Capital game,” said GHS Head Coach Brandon Hernandez. “Obviously we have a lot to clean up; however, we competed to the very end.”
The Pirates found pay dirt first as freshmen speedster Andres Lazos scored a 14-yard rushing touchdown with eight minutes left in the first quarter.
“It felt good to score,” said Lazos of his first high school touchdown. The Pirates missed the two-point conversion leaving the score 6-0. With five minutes left in the first quarter, an interception from Grants High School’s Tyler Everhart - pass intended for receiver William Archuleta - put the ball into the Jaguars hands, however, the Pirate defense held them scoreless. At 2:26 the Capital quarterback punched it through two yards to tie up the game as they missed their extra point attempt.
Early in the second quarter the Jaguars scored a rushing touchdown to make the score 14-6. The Pirates marched up the field and quarterback Everhart on the quarterback sneak punched it two yards for the second Pirates touchdown of the night making the score 14- 12, Capital on top.
Lazos using his speed and agility rushed in for the two point conversion tying it up 14-14 halfway through the second quarter. Capital bounced back scoring another two touchdowns and two point conversion to end the quarter with a 30-14 lead.
The Pirates opened the third quarter with sustained drive, including a 23 yard pass from Everhart to Archuleta, however they were not able to get past Capital’s 24-yardline and turned the ball over on downs.
Capital, on the next possession, was able to have a long drive and convert that into a touchdown, making the score 37-14.
The Pirates responded with their last touchdown of the night as Everhart found sophomore receiver Manuel Gonzalez for a 34-yard long pass to put the Pirates to the 11-yardline. Mathew Valdo, a junior, punched in a two yard run to make the score 37-20. The extra point was no good.
Capital added three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to make the score 55-20.
“We have some little mistakes to fix. It felt good to have four catches and over seventy yards,” said Archuleta of his game.
Next up for the Pirates is another home game as the host I-40 rival the, Gallup Bengals, who are coming off a 50-0 loss last week to the Bernalillo Spartans.