Pirates football falls to state-ranked Skyline, Ash Grove volleyball picks up wins 21 and 22 on the season

The Ash Grove High School football team made the trip to Skyline to play against the Class 1, fifth ranked Tigers on Friday, Oct. 9 but lost the game 36-12.
 
After falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter and 14-0 in the game, the Pirates scored twice in the second quarter. First on a 66-yard pass from Jaden Shorter to Jaden Hance to cut the Skyline lead to 14-6. A few minutes later, Shorter would find Alex Acosta for a 31-yard score to  make it 14-12 at the half. A great defensive effort in the third quarter saw the game remain at 14-12 for Skyline before the Tigers busted it open with 22 points in the final quarter of play.
 
Shorter finished the game 8-20 for 138 yards and two touchdowns, Chase Acosta led Ash Grove in rushing with 36 yards on 12 carries, Hance was the leader in receiving with one catch for 66 yards and a touchdown and Alex Acosta added another 45 yards on three catches and a touchdown.
 
Ash Grove is now 5-2 in the season and will host Class 1, sixth ranked Marionville this Friday night. With the loss, the Pirates dropped to third place in the Class 1, District 3 standings with 37.88 points. Marionville leads the district with 43.04 points, followed by; Miller (40.02 points), Ash Grove, Pierce City (34 points) and Diamond (20.67 points).
 
Volleyball
 
The Lady Pirates hosted Miller on Thursday, Oct. 8 but lost in four sets, 25-20, 17-25, 23-25 and 15-25 to the Lady Cardinals on senior night. 
 
Ash Grove traveled to Stockton on Tuesday, Oct. 6 and won in four sets.
 
Bristol Lathrop had 13 kills, Collins Rust added 11 kills and 20 digs, Chloe King had 16 digs, Allie Nicholson paced the Lady Pirates with 13 digs, and 25 assists and Michelle Hardwood ended the game with 13 digs.
 
Ash Grove started their week by hosting RUSH Sr. Home School, winning the game in three sets, 25-15, 25-13 and 25-20.
 
Lathrop led with 12 kills, Millie Wilmon led with 15 assists and Nicholson added 13 assists in the win.
 
The Lady Pirates are 22-8-1 on the season and were scheduled to travel to Sarcoxie last night and Skyline tomorrow night.
 
Girls golf
 
The Ash Grove High School girls golf team traveled to Willard on Thursday to take part in the Class 1, District 1 Tournament with Rylee Allred taking the district title with a 67. Her teammate Collins Rust finished in 11th place, shooting a 95. Both players qualified for the Class 1 state tournament which will ne played on Oct. 19 and 20 in Smithville.