Pelican Rapids spoils Pirate Football opener at KROX Radio Stadium

The Crookston Pirate Football team had a huge crowd for their first game at the new KROX Radio stadium, but the Pelican Rapids Vikings were there spoiled the evening as they dominated on both sides of the ball, defeating the Pirates 59-12 in a Section 8AA matchup in Crookston.

1st Quarter–
Crookston got the ball after Pelican Rapids won the toss and elected to defer. The Pirates were able to move the ball a little bit, with the assistance of a 15-yard rush by Teagan Lubinski, but after getting the ball down into Viking territory, a pass to Tate Hamre was incomplete, giving the ball to Pelican Rapids. A 65-yard bomb of a touchdown then from Grady Larson to Jack Kapenga made it 6-0, and the scoring would only go up from there. After an ill-advised Lubinski throw turned into an interception, Mark Kapenga then cashed in with a 10-yard rushing TD to make the score 12-0. The Viking defense then stepped up, stuffing the Pirates and forcing a 3-and-out, and the Vikings continued to rely on the big play, scoring a 30-yard TD to Treyvon Benson. The Vikings were able to wrap up the first quarter with great defensive stops, causing even more Viking punts, and solidified the theme of this game, which was stifling defense and striking immediately in response.

2nd Quarter –
The pressure was immediately on once again, with the Vikin gs running the same exact play to Benson, just flipping what side he was on, scoring a 28-yard receiving TD, the third one through the air by Grady Larson. The Vikings also converted their first 2-point attempt in four tries to make the score 26-0. Crooskton was able to get an interception in the end zone by Reitmeier during this stretch, but a penalty caused them to start their next drive on their own 10. Upon starting their next drive on their own 10. They got to a 4th and 1, but Lubinski had to leave the game for the play due to his helmet coming off. Zach Ali then attempted to run a QB sneak, but nose tackle Calvin Norton stopped that play in it’s tracks, giving the ball back to Pelican Rapids. Mark Kapenga then caught the fourth TD pass from Larson, this one from 19 yards away, and after a failed 2-point attempt, the score sat at 32-0. After Crookston was stuffed once again, they punted the ball, and Ethan Isaman made an incredible play, reversing field and scoring from 60 yards on the punt return, which was capped off by a 2-point conversion to make it 40-0. Crookston would then wind the clock down to the end of the first half.

3rd Quarter –
At the start of the 3rd quarter of play, Crookston made their first big defensive play of the game, causing a fumble on 2nd and 2, and recovering it to give the ball back to their offense. Unfortunately, the Pirates could do nothing with it, and were forced to punt it away. The sense of urgency and no-huddle style of offense for the Vikings switched to a more conservative approach upon gaining such a big advantage, but that change in philosophy did not stop them from converting on big plays, as Mark Kapenga continued his monster day, running the ball into the end zone from 30 yards out to make the score 46-0, after yet another failed 2-point attempt. Crookston then started their next drive on their own 31, and this time they made something happen, as a 24-yard Lubinski rush pushed the ball further down the field. Tbey continued to chip away at the Viking defense until Rylan Lubarski barrelled his way into the end zone for a 2-yard rushing TD, finally getting the Pirates on the board at 46-6. Pelican Rapids seemed to take offense to this, however, and after starting with the ball at midfield, Kapenga did it onmce again, running it in from 50 yards, giving the Vikings a 53-6 lead.

4th Quarter –
The runing clock rule came into effect at the start of the fourth quarter, and each time manufactured a long scoring drive. Pelican Rapids went first, after executing a perfect onside kick to get the ball on the Pirate 30. They placed reserves into the game, and the primary beneficiary pf this was Lucas VerDorn, getting 6 carries on the drive, including the eventual 5-yard TD run, putting the score at 59-6 after yet another failed 2-point attempt. Crookston got the ball next, and put together their best drive of the day, and potentially of the season, capped off by a 2-yard Lubinski rushing TD to make the score 59-12. The clock would then expire once the Vikings got the ball back, ending the game.

Crookston falls to 0-4 and will travel to Roseau next Friday, which you can hear on KROX. Pelican Rapids improves to 3-1.

CLICK BELOW to listen to Pirate Coach Nate Lubarski’s post-game comments.

1st Quarter –
PR- (8:03) Jack Kapenga 65-yard receiving TD from Grady Larson (2-point attempt failed), 6-0,
PR- (5:40) Mark Kapenga 10-yard rushing TD (2-point attempt failed), 12-0,
PR- (1:56) Treyvon Benson 30-yard receivind TD from Grady Larson (2-point attempt failed), 18-0,

2nd Quarter –
PR- (10:16) Treyvon Benson 28-yard receiving TD from Grady Larson (2 point attempt good), 26-0,
PR- (5:58) Mark Kapenga 19-yard receiving TD from Grady Larson (2-point attempt failed, 32-0
PR- (2:04) Ethan Isaman 60-yard punt return TD (2-point attempt good), 40-0

3rd Quarter –
PR- (6:22) Mark Kapenga 30-yard rushing TD (2-point attempt failed), 46-0
CROX- (3:46) Rylan Lubarski 2-yard rushing TD (2-point attempt failed), 46-6
PR- (3:32) Mark Kapenga 50-yard rushing TD (extra point good), 53-6

4th Quarter –
PR- (7:09) Lucas VerDorn 5-yard rushing TD (2-point attempt failed), 59-6
CROX- (1:58) Teagan Lubinski 2-yard rushing TD (2-point attempt failed), 59-12

INDIVIDUAL STATS

The Pirate offensive line

Teagan Lubinski

The Pirate huddle

Zach Ali

Rylan Lubarski finishes off a group tackle

Lukas Helgeson

Lucas Perala

A Pirate duo tackle

Masen Reitmeier after an INT

The Pirate student body

3rd and 4th grade flag football

3rd and 4th grade flag football

3rd and 4th grade flag football

3rd and 4th grade flag football