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The Grants High School Pirate football team was able to easily retain the Route 66 traveling trophy as they defeated the Gallup Bengals, 40-8, this past Friday in a home game. "It was a great team win," said GHS head coach Brandon Hernandez of the game. Franklin Romero - CC
The GHS Pirates rowed the boat heartily as they were able to easily defeat I-40 rival, the Gallup Bengals, by a score of 40-8 and the Route 66 traveling trophy will stay in Grants for another season.
“It was an all-around effort - just a dream come true to get that win against Gallup,” said GHS Head Coach Brandon Hernandez.
The Pirates struck first with an interception by senior Tyler Everhart, which led to a short six yard touchdown by freshman Andres Lazos. Everhart, on a quarterback keeper, ran a 76-yard rushing touchdown to put the Pirates up 12-0. Lazos then scored his second TD of the night as he rushed 10 yards to make the score 18-0. Sophomore Manuel Gonzales intercepted the ball from the Bengals to set up a third touchdown by Lazos, to make the score 24-0 where it remained through halftime.
Early in the third quarter a 72-yard Everhart pass to Manuel Gonzales for a touchdown put the Pirates up 30-0.
“I saw it in the air, I maneuvered to it,” said Gonzales of that pass.
Everhart then completed a short pass to William Archuleta for a two-point conversion, the first extra points scored for the night to make the score 32-0. The Pirates were not done for the night as Everhart found Gonzales again for a 62-yard touchdown pass and a 38-0 lead. The two-point conversion was good by Mathew Valdo to put the Pirates up 40-0.
The Bengals who were held so far to zero points by the Pirate defense were able to score with under a minute left in the fourth quarter as Bengal quarterback, Isaiah Reece, connected with receiver Trey Bruner for a touchdown and then scored the twopoint conversion to make the final score 40-8.
“We had a game plan going in and we were able to execute that well and that’s a credit for our staff and our team,” Hernandez said as he surmised the game.
The Pirates advance to 1-1 and will host the 2-0 Bloomfield Bobcats on Friday at 7:00 p.m.
“They are tough, we are going to have to execute, they bring the pressure defense and they spread you out on offense we are preparing for that,” said Hernandez of the upcoming game.