Urvashi Lalwani | Staff Writer

Whitworth football beat Lewis & Clark 35-17 to remain undefeated this season and claim first place in the Northwest Conference.

The first quarter of the game was tied 0-0, but the pace picked up during the second quarter as Whitworth scored ten points and then eleven more in the third. The Pirates finished the game with two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

“I think our whole team did great in the fourth quarter. The first three games, we did not finish well. Today as a team – offense and defense – we finished really well and it was exciting to see that improvement,” head coach Rod Sandberg said.

Sophomore running back Solomon Hines scored two touchdowns and caught four passes. He lit up the scoreboard by scoring the first points of the game in the middle of the second quarter.

“I think Solo Hines on offense [is] a special player, both running the ball and catching the ball out of the back field. [He] just had to be the player of the game today,” said Coach Sandberg. 

Bryce Hornbeck led the defense by obstructing two passes and forcing a fumble that the Pirates recovered. 

Matthew Fiesta scored the last touchdown of the game with a 16-yard run and a 60-yard drive with a strong finish. 

The Pirates’ goal in this game was to focus on the ball and step up their game.

“For this game we talked a lot about the idea of raising the bar.  One thing we worked hard on was our conditioning.  I am pleased with our improvement in that area and how we finished the game. That was a positive,” said Sandberg. 

Whitworth is heading to McMinnville, Oregon this weekend to play their next conference game against Linfield University on Saturday, Oct.9 at 1:30pm. The game will be available to livestream.