The Phoenix football team proved it can go toe-to-toe with a team expected to be among the best in the state this season.

On the road for a second straight week, the Pirates led for three quarters and had a chance to tie or win the game on the final drive of the night in a 25-18 loss to Marshfield in Coos Bay on Friday night.

Phoenix (1-1 on the season) started fast, building a 12-0 lead in the second quarter. Mike Walker and Corey Romig both scored on short touchdown runs early in the quarter. The host Pirates countered with two touchdowns, taking a 13-12 lead in the third quarter. PHS used a special teams play to retake the lead, scoring when Zach Kellar recovered a muffed punt in the end zone.

Marshfield countered with a pair of running touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The Pirates had the ball in the final minutes of the game and were on the move but were unable to find the end zone.

Javan Gail threw for 141 yards on the night, including 53 to Dylan Knudson who caught 8 passes.

Phoenix returns to action on Friday night, visiting South Umpqua in a 7 pm kickoff in Tri City.