An old saying is that "It ain't over until the fat lady sings," but the Pirate JV game at Marlin wasn't over until the refs unpiled the players to find quarterback Stefan Adams just over the goal line for a 20-16 win.

Julius Guillory scored the first La Vega touchdown after a 40-yard run to the four-yard line, but the conversion failed; then Marlin scored twice with two conversions before Cody Williams took a 40-yard pass from Adams to the house, followed by a Walter Turner run.

In the second half, Adams hurt his hip and was out 1 ½ quarters but came back the last three minutes for the game-winning drive of 70 yards.

Turner was the top defensive star for the Pirates with three sacks and 17 tackles, followed by John Truehart with some big hits and Paul Debose with some key tackles.

In their second game, the JV won 36-32 after Turner caused a Groesbeck fumble on their opening play after the kickoff, and Leija took it for 20-yard score. Guillory converted before scoring three long TDs of his own, along with a Williams pass from Adams.

Turner again led a tough D with 15 tackles, while Williams and Adams had interceptions.

At Fairfield on Sept. 14, the home Eagles scored first, but the Pirates countered in the first quarter when Adams hit paydirt on a quarterback sneak and then ran for the conversion; after giving up another TD, La Vega regained the lead when Williams took a 50-yard strike from Adams all the way to the house. Although the run failed afterward, LV led, 14-12.

Later in the second quarter, Fairfield racked up two more scores before the half for a 26-14 advantage. In the second half, Turner took another scoring pass from Adams, and Truehart ran the conversion.

In the last quarter, the Eagles wrapped up the game with an interception return for a touchdown for the final 32-22 margin.

Williams led the Pirates with eight receptions for 218 yards and a fumble return for 40 yards, while Turner was again the leading tackler, but an injury to starting tailback Julius Guillory on the third play from scrimmage hindered the Pirate effort.

On the road against 4A University, the JV scored first with a rushing TD by Mathew Nesbitt, but the Trojans answered; then the Pirates struggled offensively, but the defense held on to preserve the tie, 6-6.

At Mexia Thursday night, John Truehart initiated the La Vega scoring parade, followed by Adams's quarterback sneak and Williams's TD pass from Adams. Eric Salazar ran for a score. Joe Tapley added a conversion, while Leija, Turner, and Truehart topped the defense in the 26-0 shutout.

The JV has a bye next Friday before the China Spring Cougars visit Oct. 12.

JV starters include receivers Walter Turner, Cody Williams, and Matthew Nesbit, backs Guillory, Adams, and Roman Loa (fullback) behind the line of Andrew Leija at left tackle, Cody Baessler left guard, Trinidad Rodriguez at center, William Bell right guard, and Dondral Sewell right tackle.

On defense, the line is Turner-Leija at ends; Cody Baessler and Bell tackles; John Truehart, Martin Hernandez, and Guillory at linebackers; and backs Williams, Debose, and Adams; led by Brad Lewis, Chris Ward, Steven Oliver, Brad Talbert, and George Kilgo.

"Marlin was huge--one was as big as Daryl Curl!" Baessler said. "But if our offense drinks the same Kool-Aid, we’ll all be successful, as Coach Lewis says."