Pirates score early, often – win first State Title in six years
Cameron Mellor (@CamMellor)
Originally published: January 19, 2015
A lot can be said for the Prairie High School Pirates 2014 football season. Whether it was their offensive onslaught game in and game out, or their ball-hawking defense recording multiple takeaways in all 12 games this season – the 2014 campaign culminated in the proper way – with an Idaho 1A I State Championship.
After two seasons hampered by injuries to quarterback Jake Bruner that ended too soon, the 2014 season was a memorable one – on both sides of the ball – for the Pirates.
Prairie seemingly controlled every minute of play this past season en route to their first State Championship since 2008.
On the offensive side of the ball, Prairie scored. When they scored, they scored a lot.
The Pirates scored 60 or more points in all but two games and totaled 752 points in 2014. In nearly every contest, they dictated the game with their offense scoring and their defense, conversely, holding their opponents off the scoreboard.
In 11 of 12 games, Prairie scored first jumping out to leads such as 56-0 over Clearwater Valley or 50-0 over Wallace. In fact, during those 11 games in which the Pirates scored first, collectively they notched 350 points before their opponents even get on the scoreboard themselves.
In the lone game that the Pirates didn’t score first, a state semifinals matchup against Kamiah who took an early 8-0 lead, Prairie would answer with 38 unanswered points themselves. Head coach Ryan Hasselstrom’s team would advance to the State Championship after ultimately defeating the Kubs, 62-28.
In the biggest of games of a year ago, the Pirates leaned heavily on their quarterback.
Bruner, the Idaho 1A Player of the Year, would deliver on the biggest stages, and more importantly in the State Championship Game against Valley. Not only on the offensive side, but also on defense as Bruner accounted for six touchdowns at quarterback and two interceptions at safety.
The 6-foot-6, 205-pounder completed 17-of-18 pass attempts for 319 yards and two scores, while touting the ball nine times for 49 yards and four rushing scores. He recorded his two interceptions in the second half that dashed any hope of a Viking comeback and sealed the 72-18 victory.
When arguably one of the best players across the state got things going in 2014, the Pirates rolled. The bad thing for opponents a year ago – Bruner was always on. He threw multiple or rushed for multiple touchdowns in every game last season.
Bruner finished the year completing 120-of-182 pass attempts for 2527 yards and 35 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. He ran the ball 63 times for another 370 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Bruner has also helped Prairie capture State Championships in both basketball and baseball.
Running back Hunter McWilliams handled the majority of the rushing duties for the Pirates in 2014, carrying the ball for team highs in attempts (141), yards (1541) and touchdowns (22). He also brought down 18 receptions for 358 yards and another two scores.
On the defensive side, the Pirates held five opponents to under 10 points in 2014 while allowing no opponent to score over 28. They recorded at least two turnovers in all 12 games and recorded 23 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries last season.
Calvin Hinkelman led the way for the Pirates last year, totaling 101 tackles (64 solo, 74 assisted). He also led the team with 19.5 tackles for loss.
Bruner led the team with his six interceptions while Terran Perry, who was second on the team with 73 tackles, led the way with two interceptions returned for touchdowns. Mason Dalglliesh tied for the team lead with three forced fumbles and topped the team with his six fumble recoveries.
Joining Bruner on the postseason awards list were Hinkelman, McWilliams, Dilgliesh, wide receiver Rhett Schlader, offensive lineman John Mager and defensive linemen Isaiah Shears and Lucas Arnzen on the 1A All-Idaho First Team.
Riding their 12-game winning streak into the 2015 season, the Pirates will look to defend their state title and win back-to-back championships for the first time in school history. With the Idaho 1A Player of the Year returning to guide Prairie this fall, hopes should understandably be high when games begin.
For now, the Pirates can relish in their utterly impressive performance in 2014 and not only call themselves State Championships for the first time in six years, but also arguably one of the better 8-man teams across the entire country.
Offensive stat leaders
Rushing: Hunter McWilliams (1541 yards)
Passing: Jake Bruner (2527 yards)
Receiving: Rhett Schlader (983 yards)
All-Purpose: Hunter McWilliams (1955 yards)
Touchdowns: Hunter McWilliams (24)
Rush attempts: Hunter McWilliams (141 carries)
Receptions: Rhett Schlader (19 catches)
Defensive stat leaders
Total Tackles: Calvin Hinkelman (101)
Tackles for loss: Calvin Hinkelman (19.5)
Pass break-ups: Jake Bruner (15)
Interceptions: Jake Bruner (6)
Fumbles recovered: Mason Dalgliesh (6)
Team statistics
Total scoring: 752 points
Opponent scoring: 182
Total offense: 6040 yards
Total rushing yards: 3336 yards
Total passing yards: 2704 yards
Opponent offense: 3162 yards
Opponent rushing yards: 1685 yards
Opponent passing yards: 1477 yards
Third down conversions: 53.5% (46/86)
Opponent third down conversions: 31.5% (51/162)
Turnover Differential: +16 (23 INT, 15 FR)
Digital Scout Times 