Pirates Tame Cougars 19-15

by Kevin Yoder

Football is a game played in all weather conditions. The Pirates may actually see them all before the season is over. Hudson played thru extreme heat in week 1, a lightening delay in week 2, and overcast skies in week 3.

The entirety of week 4 was saturated with rain, creating a muddy playing field in Sumner, where the Pirates traveled Friday in hopes of adding further ruin to the Cougars homecoming festivities.

The game began quickly for Hudson, marching the opening drive to the Cougar five before a fumble thwarted a scoring opportunity. Undeterred, the Pirates soldiered on and found the end zone on each of their next two first quarter possessions. On a night when the running game found surprisingly successful footing, quarterback Tade Roberts plunged in from inside the five yard line for a 6-0 lead. Hudson’s next series lasted all of one play.

Tailback Gavin Gunnarson took the inside handoff and found a gaping hole right up the middle. A 40-yard sprint put him across the goal line, and the Pirates in front 13-0. The second quarter gave the Cougars new life as they were able to find the end zone as well, cutting their deficit to 13-7.

But Hudson went back to work and continued to find success with the ground game, complimented by trademark short passes. As the field conditions deteriorated, the Pirates slogged their way through Cougar territory. With time running out before the half, they faced a 4th and 1 from the Sumner- Fredericksburg two yard line. A normally sure-fire quarterback sneak was denied, and Hudson had to settle for a precarious 13-7 halftime lead. The second half began with the home team in possession, and on the second play from scrimmage they broke their only long run of the night. Owen Bell chased the Cougar ball carrier down but not before a 60-yard scamper put the ball at the one yard line. Three plays later, and following a two-point conversion, the Pirates found themselves trailing 15-13. But this Pirate team is resilient, and after dominating for most of the game, were confident that would not be the final score.

On the ensuing drive they went to the back page of the playbook. A unique formation put the Cougars in flux, and Austin Kliegl lined up at an eligible, yet unorthodox tackle position. Roberts dropped back and lofted a perfect pass down the seam that fell into Kliegl’s lap. He did the rest and that 43-yard touchdown put Hudson back on top 19-15. The fourth quarter saw one final drive for the Pirates that all but salted the game away, and following a defensive four-and-out that caged the Cougars inside their own five yard line, the night ended with that same score.

Head coach Justin Brekke emphasized his pride in everyone who stepped on the field Friday night in adverse conditions. “Our defense played lights out for the majority of the game,” he reflected, “and our offense kept theirs off the field. We had seniors step up in crucial moments of the game. Ultimately our guys created a core memory they will remember forever with this mud game victory.”

The Pirates are now 2-2 overall, but 1-0 in district play and turn their attention to Columbus Catholic and hosting their own homecoming festivities. Columbus comes into the game Friday night also 1-0 in the district following a win against Jesup last week.

Fill up on chili at the fire station at 5 and then fill up the Pirate Ship! Kickoff is at 7 pm, with the crowning of this year’s homecoming king and queen at halftime.

Victory at 9!