Pirates fall to Patriots in season opener, 38-26

PASCO–After getting hammered in the third quarter, a fourth-quarter rally fell short and the Pomeroy Pirates fell 38-26 to the Liberty Christian Patriots in the first game of the season here Sept. 1.

Pomeroy hosts Waitsburg at Lybecker Field on Friday.

"We just had too many turnovers and couldn't capitalize on some good opportunities that LC gave us," commented Head Coach Kyle Kimble.

" I was very proud of our guys as they went toe to toe with a 1B powerhouse with only 13 healthy players available to play," he said. "We had some guys in new positions and they did a great job stepping up to help the team where we needed them. Unfortunately, we didn't come out with a victory, but we're super excited to see what this season brings as we get healthy."

Liberty drew first blood with a five-yard passing touchdown in the first quarter to take an 8-0 lead.

Then the Pirate defense scored when Trace Roberts returned a Patriot fumble for a touchdown and Jacob Reisinger punched in the two-point conversion for the 8-8 tie.

Second quarter scoring was a 76-yard Patriot touchdown pass but the PAT was stopped.

Jett Slusser then countered with a three-yard rushing touchdown and Pomeroy's extra point was stopped for a 14-14 tie at halftime.

But the Patriots' Charlie Branning got loose for a 94-yard rushing score and an 81-yard passing touchdown and a 30-14 deficit for the Pirates to overcome.

In the fourth quarter, Ollie Severs scored on a one-yard ramble to make it 30-20, but LC answered with another Branning TD, with two-point conversion.

Severs capped the game with a one-yard scamper for six and a 38-26 final.

The Pirates garnered 22 first downs and rushed 57 carries for 255 yards, eclipsing LC's 21 carries and 157 yards.

Passing yards for Pomeroy were seven completions for 102 yards compared to LC's nine catches and 207 yards.

Severs packed the mail 25 times for 124 yards and Slusser gained 104 on 23 carries.

Slusser hit three of nine passes for 69 yards and Severs four of nine for 33 yards. Boone Schmidt caught three throws for 76 yards.

Severs was the tackle leader with 7.5 and Slusser made 6.5 tackles.