Pirates cruise to big win

DAYTON — It’s been a while since Warrenton last played a game, and in its playoff matchup Friday vs. the No. 1 seed Pirates it showed.

The Warriors fell to Dayton 55-0 Friday at Coach Dewey Sullivan Stadium. It’s been a rough end of the season for No. 8 seeded Warrenton. It hasn’t played since Oct. 26, a 48-0 loss at Rainier. The Warriors game last week against Corbett was a forfeit.

The rust of two week off showed at the worst possible time.

The Warriors (5-6, 2-2) started their first playoff drive with a three-and-out for two yards. Dayton returner Corwin Hiatt fielded the punt and took it back 36-yards for a touchdown with 9 minutes, 47 seconds in the first quarter. After a Warrenton turnover, Pirates quarterback Nathan Bernards threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jered White two minutes after the first score for a 14-0 lead.

“Our preparation was key,” Dayton coach Brodie Unger said. “We had great execution all week and it showed on the field.”

The flawless execution continued with a Forrest Garcia goal-line touchdown run to end the first quarter followed by another Garcia touchdown run at the 11:12 mark in the second quarter.

The execution carried over to the defense as well.

J.J. Jones picked off the first pass from Josh Biel on the next possession after Garcia’s touchdown and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown and the 36-0 lead. White followed that with a 34-yard touchdown run, and Bernards threw a 43-yard bomb to Justin Sutton at 5:38 in the second quarter.

Dayton led 50-0 at the half.

“Our execution was what we needed it to be,” Dayton receiver Jared White said. “Everything we worked on in practice paid off tonight.”

Dayton’s final score was a goal line touchdown run by halfback Taylor Clark.

The Pirates defense held Warrenton to 95 yards. Dayton’s offense produced 326 total yards.

“Defense came to play,” Unger said. “Really proud of those guys’ ability to get to the ball.”

Next up for Dayton (9-0, 6-0) is a home game vs. Willamina in the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs beat Coquille to set up the rematch. The Pirates beat the Bulldogs 21-12 Oct. 26. 

“But they have to be mad and ready to get after us and we have to be ready for that,” Unger said. “We go back to work on execution bright and early Monday.”

Notes: Garcia ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns. … White had 58 yards receiving, 38 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Chris Brecht led Warrenton with 38 yards rushing.