The Vidor Pirates were glad to resume their winning ways after squeezing out a 30-26 victory  against the Lumberton Raiders on Friday night.

    The Pirate offense picked up 382 total yards offense and was led by Montana Quirante who racked up 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns, all coming in the second half. Johnboy Smith was the lone receiver picking up 79 yards and a touchdown, and Austin Powell threw and rushed for a touchdown.

    The Raiders offense accounted for 238 yards. Clay Choate was the leading rusher with 113 yards and a touchdown. Travis Kelley, Taylor Trahan, and Jordan Gronato also scored for the Raiders.

    Lumberton (0-5, 0-2) won the toss and chose to receive the opening kick off. They set up shop on their own 40 yard line. After the offense quickly stalled, Dylan Mouton’s 46 yard punt pinned the Pirate’s on their own nine yard line.

    The Pirates (4-1, 1-1) then covered 91 yards with a 16-play drive picking up four first downs. The drive featured two passes from Austin Powell to  Smith. The two hooked up on third-and-15 for a 54-yard completion, and would later cap of the drive with a 17-yard Touchdown. Brandon Clayton made the point-after to put the Pirates up 7-0.

    In the beginning of the second quarter Lumberton was forced to punt after a four-and-out from its own 29. Bradley Harmon came up big for the Pirates blocking the punt to set up the next drive at the 20-yard line.

    However, the Pirate offense was not able to capitalize on the field position going three and out. Devon Collins kicked a 33- yard field goal with nine minutes left until half time.

    Two minutes beforel halftime the Raiders took over after a Pirate punt at the 12. It took eight plays to cover 88 yards thanks to a 57-yard run by Clay Choate setting up first and goal from the 5. Three plays later Travis Kelly would run it in from five yards out to get the Raiders on the board before heading into the locker room.

    The Pirates started the second half at their own 30. They managed two pick up two first downs before Montana Quirante carried the rock for a 41yard touchdown run. Brandon Clayton made the point after.

    After the Pirate defense forced a quick three and out, the offense was in business at its own 45. On the first play David Smallwood broke through the line picking up 20 yards before a shoe string tackle kept him from taking it to the house. On the next play, Montana Quirante finished the job with a 35-yard run. Clayton kicked the extra point putting the Pirates up 24-7.

    Lumberton would not go away quietly. The Raiders took over on their 40 and nickeled and dimed their way down the field for a two-yard touchdown carry from Clay Choate. Dylan Mouton kicked the point after making it 24-14 with two minutes left in the third quarter.

    The Pirates would answer right back.

    They took over at the 49 and four plays later Austin Powell would run 42 yards for the score. Jordan Granoto blocked the extra point for the Raiders holding the score at 30-14 with 11:30 left in the game.

    On the ensuing kickoff John Patterson caught the squib kick and quickly ran past the Pirate coverage team. He would be brought down at the 25. Nick Grossman followed with a 13- yard run setting up first and goal from the three yard line. Two plays later Gronato found paydirt from two yards out. The Raiders went for two but Jimmy Wright made the stop in the back field for the Pirates. The score was 30-20 with 7:52 left in the game.

    After the Pirates went three-and-out the Raiders took over at their own 34. The Raiders were in a bind at fourth-and-15 when Gronato found some magic. He ran around the pocket breaking a tackle and throwing up a prayer as the Pirate defense was bringing him down. Taylor Trahan managed to run underneath it all alone and turn the broken play into a 43-yard touchdown pass. Michael Godeaux blocked  extra point attempt for the Pirates leavng the score at 30-26 with 3:55 left in the game.

    The Pirate offense was able to run out the clock thanks to a crucial fourth down run by Brentyn Clark.

The Pirates will play Ozen next Saturday while the Raiders will host Port Neches-Groves on Friday.