Pirates fly past DeSales Irish in high-scoring game

POMEROY––It was a record-setting night for Pirate senior Trent Gwinn as he and the Pirates scored prolifically to defeat the DeSales Fighting Irish 76-44 and continue their unbeaten record in the 1B Southeast League.

Pomeroy visits Yakama Tribal School next Friday at Toppenish Middle School, facing the 1-3 team with a 3 p.m. kick off.

The Pirates and Sunnyside Christian are tied atop the league standings with identical 4-0 league and 7-0 overall records, portending a championship-deciding showdown at Sunnyside's home field on November 4.

Gwinn and the Pirates never trailed in the fast-paced, high-scoring contest on Lybecker Field, the Irish never getting closer than an eight-point margin early in the second quarter.

"This was a great team win tonight," commented Head Coach Kyle Kimble. "The Pirates were missing three starters this evening and the guys who stepped into their new roles on the team didn't miss beat."

"We have some really good players who are backups and are hungry for opportunities like they had tonight," Kimble said. "Many of our backups would start for other teams, so they really shine when they get a chance to play."

In the game, Gwinn broke the Pomeroy football single-game rushing record with 462 yards on 19 carries–24.3 yards per carry–eclipsing the previous record of 356 yards on 26 carries, Kimble said. Gwinn also broke his own single-game touchdown record of six by scoring seven touchdowns. Adding PATs, Gwinn scored 52 points.

Kimble was concerned that the bye week would take the edge off the Pirate team's conditioning and possibly lessen its defensive aggressiveness. "Our kids came out and played relentless, physical, and fast football for 48 minutes," Kimble said. "Our coaching staff is really proud of the way our boys handled the adversity they faced this week, and we're gearing up for a pass-happy Yakama Nation Tribal team."

DeSales had just come off a 60-20 win over Liberty Christian but ended up playing catch up to Gwinn and the Pirates.

Pomeroy took a 16-0 lead on Gwinn runs of 60 and 68 yards, with both conversions by Gwinn.

DeSales and quarterback Joe Baffney answered with a touchdown to make it 16-6, but Gwinn broke away for another scoring run of 54 yards.

The Irish scored on an 11-yard pass from Baffney to Aaron Kjeldgaard, and Baffney ran the PAT for a 22-14 margin-the last time DeSales was within single digits of the Pirates.

Gwinn outsprinted Irish defenders for a 65-yard score, and his PAT run was good for a 30-14 lead.

DeSales scored next on a fumble recovered in the end zone by Sean Sollars, and the ensuing kickoff was returned by Sid Bales 70 yards for six. Walker Flynn punched in the extra point and the Pirates remained up 38-20.

Both teams scored one more time in the second quarter, the Irish on a five-yard Baffney to Seamus Doohan pass and the Pirates on the fleet feet of Gwinn running 55 yards to paydirt and a halftime lead of 46-28.

DeSales opened the second half with a touchdown to remain in striking distance at 46-36. Baffney threw to Jack Lesko for the seven-yard touchdown. Baffney's PAT was good.

After a possession without scoring, the Irish had the ball and Baffney coughed it up on a Braedyn White sack, a loss of nine yards. Gwinn recovered for a touchdown and ran the conversion, extending the lead to 18 again.

Gwinn wasn't through yet. He ran 12 yards for a score at 5:55 in the third, passed to Trevin Kimble for a 36-yard touchdown early in the fourth then rambled 50 yards for six to make it 76-36. The Irish scored in the final minute on a 72-yard Sean Sollars run.

Pomeroy 76, DeSales 44 (10-15)

Pom 22 24 16 14-76

DeS 6 22 8 8-44

Pom-Gwinn 60 yd run. Gwinn run

Pom-Gwinn 68 yd run. Gwinn run

DeS-Baffney 10 yd run. Run failed

Pom-Gwinn 54 yd run. Run failed

DeS-Kjeldgaard 11 yd pass from Baffney. Baffney run

Pom-Gwinn 65 yd run. Gwinn run

DeS-Sollars fumble recovery. Run failed

Pom-Bales 70 yd kick return. Flynn run

DeS-Doohan 5 yd pass from Baffney. Lesko pass from Baffney

Pom-Gwinn 55 yd run. Gwinn run

DeS-Lesko 7 yd pass from Baffney. Baffney run

Pom-Gwinn fumble recovery. Gwinn run

Pom-Gwinn 12 yd run. Gwinn run

Pom-Kimble 36 yd pass from Gwinn. Pass failed

Pom-Gwinn 50 yd run. Kimble pass from Gwinn

DeS-S. Sollars 72 yd run. Doohan run.

Total Offense

Pom-561 yds on 40 plays. DeS-328 yds on 64 plays.

Passing

Pom-3/8-53 yds. DeS-19/37-217 yds.

Rushing

Pom-508 yds on 32 plays. DeS-111 yds on 27 plays.

Receiving

Pom-3/53 yds. DeS-19/217 yards.

Penalties

Pom-12-120. DeS-8-80.

Fumbles/lost

Pom-0-0. DeS-3-1.

Interceptions

Pom-2. DeS-2.

First downs

Pom-15. DeS-19.

Passing

Pom: Gwinn 3-6-53 yds. 1 TD. 2 Int. Bales 0-1-0. Slusser l-1-0.

DeS: Baffney 19-37-217 yds. 3 TD. 2 Int.

Rushing

Pom: Gwinn 19-462 yds. 7 TDs. Bales: 10-48 yds.

DeS: Sollars 5-66 yds. 1 TD. Baffney 16-49 yds. 1 TD. Kjeldgaard 4-4 yds.

Receiving

Pom: Kimble 1-36 yds. White 1-15 yds. Bales 1-2 yds.

Defense

Tackles: Gwinn 10½, 10 solo. Bales 6½, 6 solo. Trace Roberts 6, 5 solo. White 5½, 4 solo. Severs 2½, 2 solo. Magill 2, 2 solo. Kimble 1½, 1 solo. Vecchio 1½, 1 solo.

DeSales tackles: Arceo 10, 8 solo. Doohan 5½, 4 solo. Kjeldgaard 3, 2 solo Wilson 3, 2 solo. McCollaugh 2½, 2 solo. Lesko, Magnaghi, Baffney.