The Phoenix football team continues to hint at an elusive victory.

Winless since late in the 2019 season, the Pirates have held leads in their two most recent contests, only to succumb in losses to Douglas and Brookings in Far West League play.

Phoenix (0-5 on the season) dropped opened its home season with a 28-20 loss to Douglas on Sept. 23 before falling 28-14 to Brookings on Sept. 30. 

The Pirates erased an early deficit against Brookings when Jackson Selden hauled in a pass from Hunter Everhart and turned it into a 76-yard touchdown. Brookings scored twice late in the first half, turning Pirate turnovers into points to take a 21-8 halftime lead. PHS cut into the Bruins lead late in the third quarter when Hayden Hicks scored from 11 yards out on a pass from Everhart but could get no closer.

Selden finished the night with 123 receiving yards. He also intercepted a pass and returned a punt for a score that was wiped out by a penalty. Everhart threw for 142  yards and Jair Ramirez ran for 58 yards in addition to playing a solid game on defense.

The Pirates return to action Friday when they visit Cascade Christian at Lithia & Driveway Fields in Medford.