In a duel of Buccaneers this past Friday, the Page Varsity Football team lost in a highly contended first round playoff match against the Porter Ridge Pirates 28-27. After having the odds stacked against them all season, Page entered the field in a brisk night hungry for a win. Filled with emotion, Page started off slow giving up a 14-0 lead to Porter Ridge in the first quarter; which proved to be a hole the Pirates were ultimately unable to climb out of. Although they couldn’t grind out the win, the game was filled with bright spots including a strong second quarter in which the Pirates punched in two touchdowns into the endzone while Porter Ridge was only able to score one. Heading into the locker room 21-14, Page was eager to get back on the field in the second half, scoring a touchdown in each quarter. Much of the Pirates offense in the latter half of the game was spurred by a superior defense, in which senior Nick Butler recovered a fumble in the third as well as a clutch interception by senior Alex Angus which halted a strong drive by the Porter Ridge with seven minutes to go in the fourth. Additionally, senior Evan Gill was a force to be reckoned with during the game, racking up two interceptions. The Pirate offense came alive late, scoring a touchdown in the fourth to put Page up 27-21. Not able to capitalize on a blocked extra point, the Pirates took an unstable command of the game late in the fourth. Unfortunately, the Porter Ridge offense came off of the sidelines prepared and unfazed, making big plays including a 40 yard gain on third and three to help them drive 70 yards in four minutes, ending in a touchdown and extra point and bringing the game to a conclusion with a final score of 28-27.
Ending the season 6-6, many of the Pirates might be unsatisfied but by no means is this season indicative of the team’s skill. Having three strong wins taken away, the Pirates fought adversity and battled hard in conference games to sneak their way into the playoffs. With the defense regularly shutting out other teams and the offense routinely scoring more than 40, Page dominated on the field this year although their record might not completely show it. Additionally, talented seniors will go on to play football in their college years including star OLB/S Alex Angus who is committed to ECU, as well as WR Ford Moser and LB Steven Scott who have yet to commit.
With a tough loss to a different breed of Pirates, Page closes the door on a idiosyncratic season with plenty of highs and lows. Moments to remember vary from individual plays to full games, such as a trouncing of the top ranked Dudley Panthers at Marion Kirby in the third game of the season(later forfeited) and winning by two touchdowns in the most competitive game between Page and Grimsley in years on a Thursday night in enemy territory. Playwise, I’ll always remember the most electric catch I’ve seen on a football field made by WR Cody King against Eastern Guilford early in September in which a high-flying football was grabbed with one hand and ran into the endzone with ease. Furthermore, I’ll never forget the juiced-up atmosphere brought on by the student section every game of the season, getting louder than the opponent’s home side on away games when we’re up big and getting even louder at home on Friday nights. With that being said, it’s time to take a three-season hiatus between the most excitable sport at Page, preparing for next year but also reflecting on all the great successes of this season.