Pirates rally in 4th to defeat Molalla

September 22, 2012

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PHOENIX — Phoenix stuck with its game plan to the end, and it paid off handsomely.

Faced with a 19-6 deficit with less than six minutes to play, Pirates quarterback Andrew Reynoso ran the triple option to perfection and broke off two long touchdown runs for a 22-19 nonconference victory over Molalla.

Reynoso scored from 44 yards out with 5:45 to play, then provided an encore less than two minutes later, busting loose on a 51-yard scoring run.

The Pirates (2-1) ran for two on each point-after, and Tyson Morris and Aaron Pankowski converted, respectively.

"We just kept doing what we were doing in the first through third quarters and stuck with it," said Phoenix coach Toby Walker, whose team is quickly distancing itself from a 2011 campaign in which it was winless. "We ran the ball pretty consistently tonight and had a couple of big ones hit, and that's where we got two scores on the board."

Reynoso, a junior, ran for 134 yards on only nine carries, helping the Pirates to 375 yards on the ground.

"He made some great reads at the end of the game," said Walker.

Morris led the team in rushing with 167 yards on 23 carries.

Pankowski added 45 yards and gave the Pirates a short-lived, 6-0 lead on its first possession. Molalla answered immediately, and added scores in the second and third quarters.

For the second straight game, turnovers proved hazardous for Phoenix. Quarterback Reynoso attempted only three passes, and two were intercepted. The Pirates also lost two fumbles.In a 14-0 setback to Yreka, Calif., last week, Phoenix lost seven fumbles.

"Maybe we can get under two (next week)," said Walker. "That would make things easier."

Molalla 7 6 6 0 — 19

Phoenix 6 0 0 16 — 22

P — Pankowski 1 run (kick failed)

M — McGann 15 run (Olson kick)

M — McGann 1 run (kick failed)

M — Bilbrey 1 run (run failed)

P — Reynoso 44 run (Morris run)

P — Reynoso 51 run (Pankowski run)