Published: October 31, 2009 01:48 am      

Owls sink to 0-6 in 8-4A as Pirates snap 24-game losing streak in Joshua

The Joshua Owls entered new territory Friday.

They are now the worst team in District 8-4A.

The Owls unseeded the previous owner of that dubious mark, the Granbury Pirates, when Granbury came to town and defeated Joshua, 13-9, Friday night.

The loss dropped the Owls (2-7 overall) to 0-6 in district. Granbury, which had dropped 24 straight before the come-from-behind victory, improved to 1-8 and 1-5.

Granbury quarterback Drew Mainini provided the second-half heroics, accounting for every one of the Pirates’ yards. He finished the night with 94 yards on 19 carries after having three carries for minus 6 yards in the first half.

Mainini scored both of the Pirates’ touchdowns. The first on a 3-yard run with 8:12 left in the third quarter, and the second from a yard out with just over a minute left in the period.

Joshua had a 9-0 halftime advantage on a 31-yard field goal by David Castro and a 10-yard pass from Weston Foster to Michael Keeton.

Foster was one of four quarterbacks the Owls used in the game. Starter Jesse Williamson left with an injury, and Foster was ejected after receiving an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the third quarter.

Keeton replaced Foster, but he was hurt after being hit. He missed one play, for which Ryan Davis came in and handed the ball off.

It appeared for a moment as though the Owls might escape when Mainini fumbled on the Joshua 1-yard line late in the third quarter. However, fellow Pirate Jeff Finn fell on the ball, setting up third-and-goal from the 1, the next play on which Mainini scored.

After not punting in the first half, the Owls were forced to kick six times in the second half. The Granbury defense held them to minus-5 rushing yards and 18 passing yards in the final two quarters.

Joshua’s final chance to rally was erased when the Owls fumbled on third-and-1 at their own 29 with just over a couple minutes left in the game. Even though they recovered, they never got the ball back following a 51-yard punt from Castro.

In building their halftime lead, the Owls intercepted Mainini twice, one each by Riley Davis and Kris Cleveland.

The Owls used eight minutes on their first possession of the night, converting two fourth downs, before settling for a field goal. On their second possession they were ready to add to their lead when Castro’s 30-yard attempt was blocked.

The Owls had four consecutive three-and-out possessions to start the second half. On only one of six second-half possession did they gain a first down.

Joshua also had three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, a holding call and a pass interference in the second half.