Pirates can't overcome miscues in rivalry loss

The gridiron rivalry that began four years ago is now one of the East County’s most anticipated sporting events of the year.

In the first three meetings between Braden River and Lakewood Ranch, the Pirates dominated the series 3-0.

And perhaps that’s why last week’s 21-7 loss to the Mustangs seemed so crushing.

Braden River walked into the game standing tall but left with its poise devastated. With multiple injuries resulting in last-minute position changes and numerous penalties sending Braden River back frequently, there were many contributing factors that resulted in a loss for the Pirates. And although Braden River no longer is undefeated in the East County series, new coach Don Purvis said he’s proud of his team.

“We played well enough to win for about three-and-a-half quarters,” Purvis said. “We have a lot of guys playing new positions, very few people have any varsity game experience, so when you consider all those things, I’m pleased with the way they played. We just fell apart in the last part of the game.”

Beginning with a quarterback who has never started a varsity game — let alone a rivalry game — there was significant pressure on junior Steven Ross.

“I was kind of nervous,” he said. “I feel like I did OK but we should’ve won. Mistakes killed us.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the Pirates held the Mustangs in check for the first half of the game. Senior Durrell Dowling had the intention to take the spotlight — and the ball away from the Mustangs.

“I feel like it’s only the gateway to more interceptions,” he said. “I feel pretty good about the interception, it’s my first one of the season, and I hope I get a lot more.

“I think we (defense performed) very, very, very, good,” Dowling said. “We were together for the first half and part of the third quarter. Soon after that, we began to fall apart and give up a little bit.”

Dowling’s interception was only one of the many highlights on the defensive end of the ball. Junior Nathan Kirkman blocked a Mustang field goal late in the first quarter. In the midst of the attempt to complete the first touchdown defensive players, Dakota Wilson and Joshua Weirich notched a sack with 6:45 left in the first half.

The Pirates only score came in the second quarter when wide receiver Dipo Kolawole rush for 54 yards and set up an opportunity for quarterback Steven Ross to score a 2-yard touchdown.

“We prepared well enough and had a good enough week of practice that we should have won that game,” Purvis said. “All I can do know is learn from it, get ready for the next one and beat Lakewood next year.”
Purvis had been warned about the intensity of the rivalry, yet when he prepared his team, he was preparing them for a single game, not a special game.

“I knew stepping in here that that was a huge rivalry game and a game we hadn’t lost,” he said. “I approach every game though the same. I want to win every game. I didn’t treat it any different than I treat anything else. I want to win.”

The Pirates return to action against the Venice Vikings at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 10, at Venice.