Three-Peat! The Stags Hold Off The Hens To Keep The Peace Pipe
The Stags once again proved their dominance over their cross campus rival by defeating the Sagehens in the season finale, 28-21, to retain the coveted Peace Pipe in front of the large homecoming crowd at Zinda Field. With both teams having a winning season on the line, it came down to who would prevail on this day. The Stag defense once again dominated the day, coming up with three interceptions, but this would be a total team victory, as the offense came up with the scores when needed and special teams making some big plays to swing the outcome of the game.
The first quarter opened up with the Stag offense looking very strong and determined. It took the opening drive 54 yards in 7 plays for a touchdown with Patrick Rooney (QB, SO, Bellevue, WA) taking the final 23 yards to pay dirt. The 7-0 Stag lead would remain throughout the rest of the quarter. The Sagehens would strike early in the second on a 25 yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7, and would then capitalize on errant fumble by the Stags on the next possession, recovering it, and taking it 30 yards for the defensive touchdown. With the Sagehens now up a score, these 2009 Stags would not yield to defeat, especially against its rival. With less than 2:00 remaining in the half, the Stag offense would march right down the field on a 10-play, 51 yard touchdown drive. The drive was highlighted by a third down, 23-yard completion from Patrick Rooney to senior captain D.J. Lillard (RB, SR, Phoenix, AZ) to get the ball down to the 2 yard line. Lillard's number was called once again to finish the drive, punching it in for the payoff. An unfortunate blocked PAT set the score at 14-13, with the Sagehens leading at halftime.
Both teams emerged from halftime determined to be victorious. The third quarter began with a missed opportunity for the Stags. The offense drove 50 yards on 14 plays to set up a 37 yard field goal. The Sagehens found room around the left side of the offense and blocked the attempt. However, the Stag defense would bully the Sagehen offense and deny them any opportunity to score in for the rest of the quarter. Two interceptions by senior captain Brock Olson (DB, SR, Lake Oswego, OR) would accentuate the dominance of the Stag defense. A third interception with 10:44 left in the game by senior captain Dan Picciotto (LB, SR, Tigard, OR) would set up the offense on the Sagehen 39 yard line. The Stag offense decided to reach in its bag of tricks for the next possession to take advantage of an overly aggressive Pomona-Pitzer defense. The next play Jack Lamb (WR, Jr, Seattle, WA) took a pitch around the right side and what appeared to be a normal sweep right. But just as the defense sucked up to stop the run, Lamb pulled up and threw the ball downfield to wide open playmaker Mikey Hirokawa (WR, SR, Aiea, HI) for a 39 yard touchdown score. The Stags would go for the 2-pt conversion and Rooney found Hirokawa again beating a Sagehen defender in the endzone for the successful try.
With the score now 21-14 in favor of the Stags, the defense just needed to hold the Pomona offense from scoring a touchdown. But in this rivalry it wouldn't come that easy. Pomona-Pitzer found its way down the field and was able to tie the score on a one yard quarterback sneak with 7:16 left in the game. The Stags would answer as Hirokawa took the ensuing kickoff around the right side and down the sideline bursting past the Sagehen coverage team. After a few key blocks, Hirokawa would go 74 yards on the return down to the three yard line. Rooney would this time find Nick Marineau (WR, SR, Beaverton, OR) matched up one-on-one with a Sagehen defender. Recognizing the mismatch, Rooney hit Marineau on a three yard slant route in the endzone. For the second week in a row, Rooney would connect with Marineau for the game winning touchdown. The Stag defense would hold on to the 28-21 lead forcing the Pomona-Pitzer offense to throw up a Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game. As fate would have it, the defense knocked the ball down and preserved the Stag victory.
Hirokawa earned offensive player of the game with 65 yards receiving and a touchdown. Olson was awarded the final defensive player of the game with seven tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, and two interceptions. Kyle Hansen (DB, FR, Issaquah, WA) was honored with the special teams player of the week for his outstanding play on kickoff coverage.
The 28-21 victory represents the third year in a row the Stags have beaten Pomona-Pitzer and the third year in a row the Stags have hoisted the coveted Peace Pipe in victory. The Stags finish the year with a winning record of 5-4. This rivalry remains fierce and the tradition of a hard fought game continues. Congratulations to the 2009 Stags and its seniors for a well played and successful season!
