The Plainview Pirates improved their record to 6-0 following the team’s weightiest win of the season on the road against the 4-1 Lutheran High-Northeast Eagles on Friday, Sept. 29. The Pirates had yet to face a team with a winning record on the season, leaving critiques to question whether or not this Plainview team was the “real deal.” With the Pirates having the opportunity to take down a one-loss team on the road, this was their chance to show everyone their undefeated record wasn’t made by luck. Plainview got out to a hot start to begin the contest, going up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
With a delayed game because of lightning in the area, the team then took time off until about 9:15 p.m. when play resumed, making it one of the later games Plainview has played as well. The Pirates entered halftime with a lead of 28-6. It looked as if the game might already be over, however, LHNE wasn’t going down without a fight.
The Pirates were unable to score a single point in the entire second half, leaving the fate of the game up to their defense. While LHNE was able to get a couple touchdowns on the board, the Plainview defense would remain strong, and hold their ground to secure the biggest Plainview victory of the season, 28-20.
One of the biggest keys to victory for Plainview was their lack of penalties. The Pirates would finish the game with zero penalties for zero yards compared to the Eagle’s six penalties for 45 yards. The Pirates were also able to find success through the air with sophomore quarterback
Gage Walton going nine for 20 in the air for 149 yards and three touchdowns. On the receiving end of all three of those touchdowns was senior receiver Spencer Hille, who racked up six catches for 100 yards on his way to three touchdowns.
Also coming down with receptions were Brendan Weber with two for 43 yards and Karter Lingenfelter with one for five yards.
On the ground it was the duo of Jacson King and Ty Deidrichsen paving the way. King went for
124 yards on 16 carries, while Diedrichsen collected 118 yards on 14 carries with one touchdown.
On the defensive end the Pirates spread out tackling well, with the whole team pulling their own weight. Leading the way was the trio of King, Lingenfelter and Hille with five each, Diedrichsen and Walton with four, Lenyn Ickler, Wyatt Doerr and Harrison Thor with two each, and Bastion Curtiss with one.
The Pirates now sit at 6-0 on the season, with the 2-4 Summerland Bobcats coming to town for their next contest on Friday, Oct. 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Spencer Hille had the second score before the weather break.