Pirates pound Cardinals in shortened game

Hampered by limited numbers, Medical Lake's opening football game against Greater Spokane 2A Rogers was halted with 2 minutes, 5 seconds remaining in the first half Sept. 2 where the Pirates led 35-0.

The game, played at the Rogers' Harmon Field in Spokane, and in near 90-degree temperatures, saw the Cardinals bring just 22 players, but not all were able to participate having previously been in a junior varsity contest earlier that day.

As the game neared halftime and several ML players had suffered injuries, head coach Nick Puzycki asked that the game be stopped.

"This was due to practice requirements from WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association)," Puzycki wrote in an email. "We followed the handbook from WIAA in which allowed us to practice through the weekend and moving the game to Saturday."

Gavin Bodman scored twice for the Pirates who led 21-0 after one quarter. Rogers also scored on a blocked punt return in the second quarter.

Josh Henry caught two passes for 32 yards for the Cardinals who were outgunned in the truncated game, 361 to 121.

Next for Medical Lake is a trip to Priest River, Sept. 8 for a non-league game. The Cardinals play the first of three home games at Holliday Field, Thursday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. vs. Newport.

Paul Delaney is a (semi)retired Free Press Publishing reporter and can be reached at [email protected].