POMEROY––Pitted against Liberty Bell, whose reputation reads like a description of the Pomeroy Pirates-fast and physical-the Bucanneers wasted no time taking a quick lead and building an insurmountable lead as they downed the visiting Mountain Lions 58-12 here Friday, September 17.

The Pirates visit Tekoa-Rosalia at Rosalia this Friday to begin 1B League play. Kick off is at 7 p.m.

"The team played really well through some adversity," commented Kyle Kimble. "Liberty Bell is a fast and physical football team and we matched them in their speed and physicality all game long."

Coach Kimble wasn't enthralled by his team's discipline in the first half. "Despite our early half-time lead, we had some untimely penalties and didn't play very disciplined football in the first half," Kimble said.

But the Pirates "turned the corner and played some great team football in the second half," he said. "Our defense played very well, notching two safeties, a fumble recovery, and an interception on the Mountain Lion high-flying offense."

Senior Trent Gwinn kept the Mountain Lions off balance the entire night, rushing for five touchdowns and throwing Sid Bales a nine-yard pass for another score. He gained 184 yards on 15 carries, averaging 12.3 yards per run. Gwinn was on the receiving end of a 75-yard touchdown toss from quarterback Bales.

Sid Bales' 75-yard throw to Gwinn was his only reception of three tries in the rush-heavy contest, and he was picked once.

Other Pirate rushers were Colton Slaybaugh, who packed the pigskin three times for 29 yards. Bales also got the call, carrying six times for 24 yards.

Leading receivers, besides Gwinn's 75-yard touchdown catch, included Bales, who caught a pass from Gwinn for six, and Trevin Kimble caught a nine-yard pass.

Pomeroy amassed 338 yards of total offense compared to Liberty's 64. Pomeroy counted 233 yards rushing, 105 passing, to Liberty's eight rushing yards and 56 passing yards.

Both teams committed nine infractions, but Pomeroy's were more costly-setting them back 110 yards to Liberty's 60.

When both teams fumbled, they were lost: Liberty losing its one cough-up and Pomeroy losing two.

Defensively, Gwinn, at linebacker, hammered Mountain Lion ballcarriers with six solo tackles.

Defensive lineman Jesse Mings grabbed four solo tackles and was in on another three and shared a quarterback sack with Braedyn White.

Braden Mings snared four Mountain Lion ball carriers solo, one assist. Trace Roberts made three solo tackles and Trevin Kimble counted a pair with three assists.

Pomeroy 58, Liberty Bell 12 (9-17)

Pom 22 18 18 0-58

LB 0 6 0 6-12

Scoring

Pom-Gwinn 10 yd run. (Mings run)

Pom-Gwinn 75 yd pass from Bales. (Run failed)

Pom-Gwinn 48 yd run. (Gwinn run)

Pom-Safety

Pom-Gwinn 18 yd run. (Bales run)

Pom-Gwinn 39 yd run. (C. Slaybaugh run)

LB-Lidey 1 yd run. (Run failed)

Pom-Bales 9 yd pass from Gwinn. (C. Slaybaugh run)

Pom-Safety. Paz tackled in end zone by Braedyn White.

Pom-Gwinn 7 yd run. (Gwinn run)

LB-Johnson 52 yd run. (Run failed)