Southeast Pirates come up short to Akron Garfield 21-19 in the season opener

PALMYRA, OH- It’s late August and that can only mean the return of one thing, high school football in Portage County! Freedom Field was the sight of the season opener for coach Pat Yoeul and the Southeast Pirates as they hosted the Garfield Rams of Akron. The Pirates were looking to avenge a 21-13 season opening loss to the Rams a year ago.

Southeast received the opening kickoff and wasted no time getting on the board. Alaunte Massrock and Joe Sharish got in going with runs of 14 and 8 yards respectively on the first two plays of the game. The Pirates would move the ball 75 yards on 10 plays, all coming on the ground. It was capped off by a Landon Durstine 2-yard touchdown plunge. The PAT attempt was blocked. The Pirates drew first blood leading 6-0 with 5:23 to play in the opening quarter.

Landon Durstine scores from 2 yards out for the Pirates first TD

The Rams were able to move into Pirates territory on their first drive before the Southeast defense made a stand forcing a few incomplete passes putting the Rams into a 4th and 12 situation. Nathaniel Rivera was able to come up with a huge sack of Rams quarterback Darius Sales forcing a turnover on downs.

Nathaniel Rivera with a big sack of Rams QB Darius Sales on 4th down

Unfortunately for the Pirates they were unable to ride the momentum of the defense as they turned it over on a fumble on the second play of the possession. The Rams would take advantage with a 6 play - 47 yard drive that ended with a Sheldon Corley 22 yard touchdown run. The successful PAT gave the Rams a 7-6 lead with 9:05 to play in the first half.

Southeast would answer back with their biggest play of the game as Maverick Wood took the kickoff 86 yards to the house to put the Pirates back on top. The two point conversion attempt was unsuccessful and the Pirates held a 12-7 lead with just over eight minutes left in the first half.

The teams would go scoreless the remainder of the first half with Southeast taking the 12-7 lead into the break.

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Garfield received the opening kick of the second half starting at their 22 yard line. They would put together an 11 play - 78 yard drive to open the half. Corley would carry the ball 8 times for 74 of the 78 yards and end it with his second touchdown of the game. The two point attempt was good as the Rams jumped back on top 15-12.

The Pirates would gain some momentum on their next possession when Sharish and Wood connected on a 24-yard pass play. Unfortunately three plays later another fumble would turn the ball back over to the Rams. The Pirates defense would hold firm this time holding the Rams to a three and out punt. The turnover bug would bite Southeast again as Sharish was picked off on the fourth play of their possession.

The Rams would take advantage of the short field as Khamari Brady had runs of 19 and 6 yards, the latter of which went for a touchdown. The two point try was no good leaving the Rams lead at 21-12 with 9:15 to play in the game.

Southeast would then go three and out and be forced to punt. Garfield would turn it back over the Southeast after a fumble giving them life. On their first play for the Pirates, Maverick Wood went around the end to paydirt from 37 yards out with 6:57 to play. The PAT made it a 21-19 game.

Southeast would come up big on the other side of the ball as well forcing a Rams punt giving them the ball back with a chance to win it. The first punt fair caught by the Pirates was called back due to an inadvertent whistle. The re-kick pinned the Pirates back to the 10-yard line with 3:08 to play but all three timeouts still available. Unfortunately for Southeast they would turn the ball over on downs near midfield with only a few seconds remaining allowing the Rams to run out the clock and take home the 21-19 win.

It was a story of turnovers (four) and muddied offense for the Pirates for most of the night. Credit the stingy defense of the Garfield Rams who made the necessary adjustments. Rams running back Sheldon Corley was also a thorn in the Pirates side rushing for over 140 yards and a pair of scores.

Joe Sharish led the Pirates offense with 74 yards on 12 carries despite a banged up ankle in the second half. Maverick Wood scored a pair of touchdowns.

The Pirates will look to regroup next Friday when they host Grand Valley.