Pirates shut out 38-0 by tough Warrior team

Coach Mike Adams giving instruction to Liam Pickett

Text and photo by Steev Riccardo

Fiskdale – The Oxford Pirates ran into a very good Tantasqua Warriors team last Saturday afternoon and paid the price in a 38-0 loss.

The Warriors scored two quick touchdowns in the first four minutes and opened a 14-0 lead and from that point on the Pirates were forced to play catch up. They had their chances to get back in the game but couldn’t get in the end zone when they had to.

Senior Mike Faucher recovered a Warrior fumble late in the first quarter during a punt return and the Pirates had a chance to get back in the game.

On second down, senior quarterback Liam Pickett connected on a 39- yard pass play with Tyler Barrie giving the Pirates excellent field position on the Warrior 29-yard line. Unfortunately, the Pirates could not muster a first down and had to give the ball back on downs.

The Warriors fumbled again on their next possession and Alex Ton made the recovery on the 33-yard line.

Two consecutive big ground gains by Zack Gorczynski (24 yards) and Matt Faucher (29 yards) put the Pirates deep in Warrior territory. This time they failed to get inside the end zone for inside the ten-yard line on four consecutive tries.

The Pirates forced a third turnover when Gorczynski picked off a pass with 4:16 left in the first half.  Despite two huge plays by Barrie, one a 13-yard run and the other a 25-yard reception on a pass from Matt Faucher, the Pirates were stalled once again. This time Matt Faucher missed a 37-yard field goal.

On the next play, the Warriors connected on a 73-yard pass play with 12 seconds left in the half and took a 21-0 lead, which they extended in the second half while holding the Pirates scoreless.

The 0-4 Pirates will travel to Westford to take on Nashoba Valley Tech next Friday night in search of their first win of the year.

Read more about the Oxford Pirates and high school football in the View From The Sidelines column published every week in The Patriot and contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with feedback and comments.