GALENA­ — For Galena it was the best of times. For Aquin, it was the worst.

Galena’s Matt Hillard took the opening kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown giving the Pirates a 7-0 lead with just 13 seconds off the clock. Galena never looked back in a 49-13 victory, dominating Aquin in all aspects of the game.

The Pirates totally controlled the first quarter, putting 28 points on the board. Hillard, who gained 160 yards in the first half, accounted for three of the four touchdowns, including an 85-yard thriller down the Aquin sideline.

Aquin head coach Andy Hughes said Galena’s fast start put the Bulldogs in a hole, and added that the Pirates did a great job controlling the game.
Galena coach Ed Freed also noted that the fast start made a big difference.

He was also impressed with the focus of his players.

So, how strong was the Pirates grip in the first half?

The Pirates amassed 310 yards of offense, 216 on the ground and 94 in the air. Nearly 200 of those yards came in the first quarter alone.

Galena’s relentless defense limited the Bulldogs to 26 yards rushing and 36 yards passing.

For the game, Galena rushed for 245 yards while Aquin gained 105 yards The Pirates added another 142 yards in the air while the Bulldogs threw for 90.

Pirate quarterback Mitchell Phillips threw two first-half touchdown passes to Tyler DeLoach (15 yards) and Corbin Birkbeck (seven yards).
Following the game, Hughes was complimentary of the Pirates noting that they are as strong a team in the Class 1A playoffs.

- P. Carter Newton, GateHouse News Service