Pirates fall to Woodland in playoff opener to end season

FAIRFAX — For the Gore Pirates, they faced the Woodland Cougars for the second time in the last three trips to the Class A playoffs, and fourth time in postseason play since 2020, and the locals were hoping to knot up the postseason series since 2020 at 2-2.

Unfortunately, the Cougars had other ideas as they dominated the Pirates 48-14 in Friday night’s Class A, Division II playoff opener.

The Pirates ended the season at 6-5.

The Cougars (11-0) had a 40-0 halftime lead, and took control early as they scored on the opening drive of the game, then recovered a Gore fumble and turned that possession into points immediately.

The Pirates did not score until the fourth quarter when Keeton Rowe scored on a 9-yard touchdown run, and Keiden Denton returned a blocked punt 26 yards for the other TD. Jagger Moore scored the twopoint conversion after Denton’s TD. “On our first possession deep on our side of the field, we fumbled,” Gore coach Brandon Ellis said. “That didn’t help. They went down there and scored right off the bat (on the game’s opening possession). They kicked off to us and we fumbled. They took it in and scored. They’re a good ball club. They’re a well-oiled machine.”

While the Pirates failed to win a playoff game in 2024, the fact they had a Week 11 game was something no one thought.

“Anytime you can extend the season (by making the playoffs), that’s always a good thing,” Ellis said.