With the game on the line, head coach Josh Line made the gutsiest call of his coaching career. One play later, the Pirates emerged victorious after senior quarterback Andrew Sharp plowed through the Siuslaw defense for a two-point conversion that secured a 29-28 victory.
“My heart was racing so fast,” junior Corey Shaffer said. “When Sharpie [Sharp] got into the end zone, all I could think about is the playoffs.”

The win propelled Marshfield to 3-0 in Far West League play, and 5-1 overall. It also clinched a spot in the OSAA playoffs. According to junior DJ Herrington, the win will help them finish the season.

“We have all the momentum going into our game next week. Hopefully we will get to play for a league championship here,” Herrington said.

The Pirates pulled out a 14-0 lead heading into halftime, comprised of a 25-yard scoring strike from Sharp to junior Ben Martin and a one-yard run by Sharp. In the third quarter, both teams traded scores before Siuslaw cut the lead to 21-14 to end the third quarter. Siuslaw scored again halfway through the quarter and appeared to be headed for another score before Marshfield stopped them on 4th down, forcing overtime.

In overtime, Siuslaw trudged 25 yards for a score to begin the extra period. A couple of carries by junior Matt McCallister earned Marshfield six points, but the confident final call to opt for a two-point conversion sealed the game at 29-28.

“We had some confidence. We knew we were going to win,” Herrington said. “We believed in ourselves and each other and we came out on top.”

The Pirates travel to South Umpqua Friday, before coming home on Oct. 24 to play North Bend in the regular season finale.