Trojans Edge Pirates in Back-and-Forth Battle

The Verndale Pirates came up just short in a high-scoring thriller Friday night, falling 36-34 to the Sebeka Trojans in a game that saw multiple lead changes and standout performances on both sides of the ball.

Verndale came out strong, jumping to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter with two rushing touchdowns from Hollister Heinz—a 3-yard score followed by an 18-yard dash. Heinz also added a successful PAT on the first touchdown. Sebeka answered before the end of the quarter with a 67-yard touchdown run from Max Lake, followed by a two-point run from Gene Strayer, cutting Verndale’s lead to 14-8.

In the second quarter, Lincoln Finck powered in from one yard out to extend the Pirates’ lead to 20-8, but the Trojans struck back with another long touchdown, an 18-yard run from Lake and a successful two-point try from Strayer, making it 20-16 at halftime.

Sebeka took its first lead in the third quarter on a 56-yard touchdown run by Kenyen Bell, but Verndale quickly responded. Owen Weiher connected with Joe Elfstrum on a 46-yard touchdown pass to put the Pirates ahead 26-22. The teams continued trading blows as Strayer scored on a 3-yard run for Sebeka, only for Weiher to race 61 yards to the end zone and add a two-point pass to Finck, giving Verndale a 34-30 lead heading into the fourth...

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