Ash Grove Pirates drop close one to No. 1 ranked Marionville

Three different Pirates score in home defeat that was a battle to the end

The Class 1, seventh ranked, Ash Grove High School football team hosted Class 1, No. 1 ranked Marionville on Friday, Oct. 18, and almost pulled off the upset, falling to the Comets 22-20.
Pirates quarterback Kyler Reece ran for a touchdown and threw for another to Harison Thompson, the first on a 15-yard run and the second in the fourth quarter to bring the Pirates to within two points. Brock Long also had a rushing touchdown for the Pirates.
Reece led Ash Grove with 199 yards and a touchdown on 14-26 passing. Reece was also the leading rusher, gaining 64 yards on 19 carries. Long had 25 yards rushing on one carry and a touchdown. Thompson finished the game with six catches for 142 yards and a score.
Ash Grove is now 6-2 on the season and will be traveling to Sarcoxie this Friday night.
Despite the loss, Ash Grove still sits in third place in the Class 1, District 3 standings with 44.96 points. Marionville leads the district with 57.63 points, followed by Adrian (53.89 points), Ash Grove, Windsor (43.63 points), Pierce City (41.69 points), Midway (33.84 points), Lincoln (33.39 points), Miller 27.42 points), Skyline (26.64 points) , and Cabool (26.36 points).
Volleyball
In volleyball, the Lady Pirates traveled to Skyline on Thursday, Oct. 17, and came home with a five-set loss, 18-25, 26-24, 17-25, 25-11 and 5-15. Ash Grove opened the week by traveling to Sarcoxie but was able to secure the victory there in five sets, 25-19, 23-25, 25-16, 14-25 and 15-11.
The Lady Pirates are 8-11-3 overall and finished up their regular season by traveling to Greenwood on Monday night. Ash Grove will start the Class 2, District 10 tonight in Miller by playing against New Covenant Academy, the No. 3 seed in the tournament. Ash Grove is seeded sixth.