Football Pirates lose to Cabool in district playoff deluge

Ash Grove rushes for over 200 yards in loss to visitor
The Ash Grove High School football team saw their season come to an end last week, as they hosted Cabool in the semifinals of the Class 1, District 3 playoffs on Friday, Nov. 4. The home team Pirates fell to the Bulldogs, 34-16. Due to the expected inclement weather, the game was moved from the normal 7 p.m. start time to 5 p.m.
The Pirates led 16-0 at the end of the first quarter, as the rain started to pick up. But that would be all the points that they would get, as Cabool would score 14 points in the second quarter to cut the Pirates lead to 16-14 at the half. After a lengthy rain delay play commenced, as did the Cabool offense. The Bulldogs added 20 more points in the second half to seal the victory.
Ash Grove was just 2-5 passing the ball in the rainy affair for three yards, but were able to run it effectively, racking up 208 yards on 31 carries with two scores.
"The kids had a great season," said Ash Grove head coach Ryan Long.
Ash Grove finished the 2022 season with an 8-3 record; their best record since the Pirates were 10-2 in the 2013 season.