Pirates drop homecoming game, 44-0

  • Get that outta here! Andres Lazos, 22, and Clemente Garcia, 42, of the Grants Pirate Football Team break up a pass this past Saturday at the Port of the Pirates as they hosted the Taos Tigers (6-1) in the 2022 homecoming game. The Pirates drop to 1-6 and will travel this Friday to Silver City High School (6-1) in a district away game. Franklin Romero - CC
    Get that outta here! Andres Lazos, 22, and Clemente Garcia, 42, of the Grants Pirate Football Team break up a pass this past Saturday at the Port of the Pirates as they hosted the Taos Tigers (6-1) in the 2022 homecoming game. The Pirates drop to 1-6 and will travel this Friday to Silver City High School (6-1) in a district away game. Franklin Romero - CC
  • All hail the king and queen! This year’s 2022 Homecoming King and Queen for the Grants High school homecoming are Mathew Valdo and Kylette Garcia. Franklin Romero - CC
    All hail the king and queen! This year’s 2022 Homecoming King and Queen for the Grants High school homecoming are Mathew Valdo and Kylette Garcia. Franklin Romero - CC

Homecoming was not too homely for the hosting Grants Pirates, as they lost their 2022 homecoming game to the fifth ranked Taos Tigers who came in with a 5-1 record to the Port of the Pirates last Saturday. The Pirates had to contend with Taos’ next level quarterback, Damien Ely, who stands all of 6” 7’, and is one of the more accomplished players in the state in that pilot seat.

“Ely is a top player and our game plan was to contain him and keep him in the pocket as best we could,” said Grants High School Football coach Brandon Hernandez. “We tried to stay even with their receiver, Favian Codova, but unfortunately we didn't quite execute.”

The Pirates were down 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and trailed 28-9 at the half while the third quarter remained scoreless. Taos added a touchdown in the fourth quarter; however, they did not score an extra point to make the final score 44-0.

The Pirate offense came short in scoring; however, their effort was consistent. “Offensively, we wanted to run the ball and take advantage of their man-to-man coverage,” said Hernandez.

The highlight of the game for the Pirates was at the end of the third quarter when Sophomore Andes Lazos had an interception for 41-yards. Lazos had 130-yards in that game.

“So, there's some obvious disappointment in the outcome, but, Taos is a great team,” summarized Hernandez.

The Pirates drop to 16 and start district play as they travel to Silver City High School (6-1) next Friday, October 14 in an away game.

Cibola County Finish Line

The Lady Pirates volleyball team are currently 7-8 after defeating Valencia High School 3-2 in a best of five (25-22, 25-23, 4-25, 25, 27, 15-13). They lost to St. Pius in their most recent game 30, (25-16, 25-19, 25-29) last Thursday at home. They will play Tuesday, October 11 against Valley High School (-10). The GHS Lady Pirates soccer team is 7-6-1 after losing to St. Pius 7-1 and defeating Shiprock 90. The GHS boys’ soccer team are 0-12-2 after a recent 10-0 loss to St. Pius High School (10-2-2). Both teams will host Highland High School on Tuesday, October 11.

The Laguna-Acoma Hawks volley ball team remain undefeated at 12-0 as they travel on Wednesday, October 13 to play Wingate High School (212). The Laguna-Acoma football team is 3-5, 0-1 as they will travel Friday, October 14 to play the Santa Rosa Lions (6-2) in district play.