Grizzlies nip Pirates 30-22

DUNEDIN- Close but no cigar. 

That’s been the case a few times this season for the Dunedin Pirates this 2019 campaign and it happened again last Saturday. 

Despite scoring 22 points, Dunedin wasn’t able to pickup its second win of the season. The Pirates were hampered by turnovers and the deep ball, as Dunedin fell 30-22 to the Golden Isles Grizzlies at Dunedin Memorial Stadium. 

The Pirates fall to 3-5 on the season and the Grizzlies improve to 8-0. Dunedin started off the game with a bang running the ball, as Javaughn Johnson (27 yards) and quarterback Eric Vitale engineered the early scoring drive to put the Pirates up 8-0. 

After the Grizzlies scored on their opening possession and eventually took a 16-8 lead, the Pirates tied the game at 16-all on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Nate Munson to Vitale. Golden Isles took the lead again in the third quarter at 22-16 but the Pirates tied it up on a quarterback sneak by Vitale. 

Tied at 22-22, the game look destined for an epic finish, but it would be the Grizzlies’ offense that stepped up to the occasion. Golden Isles scores late and closed out the game running the ball. 

This week the Pirates host the Port Orange Stallions (2-6), who fell 42-0 to the Jacksonville Cardinals last weekend. Winner of this Saturday’s game will go to the postseason awhile the loser may be left on the outside looking in.