The Victor Pirates opened their season on the gridiron with a win over the Arlee Warriors, 56-38. With veteran senior quarterback Matt Kittel running the offense, the Pirates jumped out to an early lead when Kittel ran six yards for the six points. Tyler Schaffer scored the two-point conversion. Arlee came back and scored but on the ensuing kickoff, Schaffer raced 75 yards for the touchdown and the lead for good.
Kittel had two more rushing touchdowns and finished with 132 yards. He carried the ball 22 times. He went to the air 21 times and completed 17 passes. He hit Nate Bishop from six yards out and again from 34 yards out. Brady Tuttle, a transfer from Corvallis, caught two scoring passes from Kittel, one from 24 yards and another from the 32-yard line. Jesse Pearson also scored for the Pirates on a short run.
Hamilton was the only other football team playing this weekend. They made the trip over the hill to Salmon, Idaho, on Friday night. The Broncs got on the board early and had a 21-point lead at the end of the first quarter. They cruised to a 55-26 win. Josh Bauder went to the air for four touchdowns. He hit Chris Cleveland for a 70-yard pass and one more pass. Ty Burt and Teague Blome also scored on Bauder’s passes. Adam Smith rushed for three scores and Burt had a ‘pick six’ interception for 80 yards.