Pirates ranked No. 1 as season winds down

TOPPENISH–The undefeated Pomeroy Pirates are looking to the last two games of the 2021 campaign atop the Division 1B standings, and anticipating Homecoming Week and their meeting with Liberty Christian Friday at Lybecker Field. Last Friday, the Buccaneers downed Yakama Tribal School 74-0.

The season finale will be the SE B1 championship showdown against undefeated Sunnyside Christian there Thursday, November 4.

The Pirates are in first place in the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association 1B RPI ranking, with a 7-0 record. Lummi Nation (Bellingham) is second at 6-0 and Almira Coulee Hartline in third, also undefeated with an 8-0 record.

"Another good team win today versus a senior-heavy Yakama Nation Tribal team," said Head Coach Kyle Kimble. "We jumped out to a big lead and held the Eagles to five yards of total offense."

The Pirates wasted no time getting to the running clock, scoring 46 points in the first quarter. Total offense was 323 yards on 22 plays, and just 5:33 time-of-possession. Rushing yards totaled 235 on 15 attempts and air yards totaled 88.

Quarterback Trent Gwinn completed four of six passes for 88 yards and three scores, and he rushed for 95 yards on four carries for two touchdowns.

Colton Slaybaugh countered the Gwinn threat to the Eagle defense, scoring two touchdowns on two carries covering 41 yards. Sid Bales had four carries covering 50 yards and a TD, and Jett Slusser made 44 yards on two carries, and one touchdown.

Slaybaugh, Kimble and Bales each caught a touchdown pass, Slaybaugh's for 42 yards, Kimble's for 24 yards, and Bales's a five-yard catch.

The Eagles spent 42 minutes of the game on offense, and that kept the defense working steadily. Trace Roberts and Braedyn White both had four solo tackles, Ollie Severs three, and Gwinn, Slaybaugh, Walker Flynn, Richie Vecchio, Bales and Kimble a single solo tackle.

Pomeroy's first score was a Gwinn pass to Kimble covering 24 yards to six, plus Gwinn's run for two points and an 8-0 lead a minute and a half into the game.

Roughly a minute later, Pomeroy had the ball in the Red Zone and Bales punched it in from the three. Slaybaugh ran the two-point conversion, Pomeroy up 16-0.

Gwinn threw to Slaybaugh for a 42-yard scoring pass, but the Eagles thwarted the PAT run by Gwinn.

A couple minutes later, Yakama quarterback Sam Jim was throwing to Mylo Jones, but Gwinn intercepted and returned it for a touchdown. His extra point run was good for a 30-0 lead at the 5:19 mark.

Yakama Tribal again had the ball without scoring and with two minutes remaining, Gwinn broke free for a rushing touchdown from 30 yards out. Kimble caught the conversion toss from Gwinn for the point after and the Bucs were ahead 38-0.

Slaybaugh ran to pay dirt for an 18-yard touchdown, and Bales's extra point run made it 46-0 and started the running clock with thirty seconds to play in the first quarter.

Pomeroy scored twice in the second quarter to take a 62-0 lead into half time. Gwinn chugged in from the 20 and the PAT was a Gwinn to Kimble throw for 54-0, then Bales caught a five-yard Gwinn pass for six, with Severs catching Gwinn's PAT pass and a 62-0 lead.

Slaybaugh scored in the third quarter on a 23-yard run and Jett Slusser got loose in the fourth quarter for a 36-yard score. Both PATs were stopped by the Eagles.

Pomeroy 74, Yakama Tribal 0

Pom 46 16 6 6-74

Yak 0 0 0 0-0

Pom-Kimble 24 yd pass from Gwinn. Gwinn run

Pom-Bales 3 yd run. Slaybaugh run.

Pom-Slaybaugh 42 yd pass from Gwinn. Run failed

Pom-Gwinn interception return. Gwinn run.

Pom-Gwinn 30 yd run. Kimble pass from Gwinn.

Pom-Slaybaugh 18 yd run. Bales run.

Pom-Gwinn 20 yd run. Kimble pass from Gwinn.

Pom-Bales 5 yd pass from Gwinn. Severs pass from Gwinn.

Pom-Slaybaugh 23 yd run. Pass failed

Pom-Slusser 36 yd run. Pass failed