MOBILE, Ala. – Touchdowns came early and often as the Fairhope Pirates and the Saint Paul’s Saints traded a one point lead throughout the first half of play at E.E. Delaney stadium Friday night. In the end though, it would be turnovers that took the wind from the Pirate’s sails.

The Saints would get on the board first in the early minutes of the first quarter with a 65-yard sprint by senior tight end Ethan Stokley setting the Saints up to score on the Pirates 6 yard line.

Fairhope would answer with a touchdown on the Pirate’s first possession of the game, following a methodical drive downfield. The Pirates extra point attempt was foiled by an attempted block, leaving the score 7-6 in favor of the Saints four minutes into the first quarter.

Junior wide receiver Hunter Lewis would put the Pirates ahead with a touchdown reception. The extra point made the score 13-7 with 2:30 remaining in the first quarter.

Not to be undone, Saint Paul’s ran an effective ground attack utilizing the talented sophomore tailback Jordan Huff to grind to within scoring distance. Huff would dissect the Pirate’s defense, accumulating 204 yards, with two touchdowns on 33 carries.

Saint Paul’s quarterback Jacob Coker would begin the second quarter scoring on a sneak with the second of what would be four extra points by Alexander Hudson bringing the score to 14-13.

Fairhope would go into the locker room leading the Saints 27-21 following a 18-yard Domino pass to Lewis hunter for the final touchdown of the half. Hunter would have nine receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns for the night.

The Pirates would begin the second half with a fumble on their first possession, with the Saints scoring on a Jordan Huff carry, putting Saint Paul’s up by one, 28-27.

The Pirates would turn the ball over again late in the third, setting Saint Paul’s up to score.

On their next possession, the Pirates would be intercepted on their own 32 yard line, resulting in a 32 yard Jordan Huff touchdown, bringing the score to 42-33, in favor of the Saints.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter the Pirates attempted a rally with a determined air and ground attack resulting in a touchdown along with a failed conversion attempt.

Saint Paul’s would manage the clock wisely during their mid-fourth quarter drive, allowing Fairhope to get the ball back with six minutes remaining in the game. No seconds were wasted as Domino passed to Nate Andrews who would score with 3:30 remaining, making it a two point game.

With 1:10 remaining, the Pirates went to the air and were intercepted by Coker sealing a Saints win. Coker would be 9-16 for 178 yards with one touchdown and three scoring 1- yard sneaks for the night.

Pirate Quarterback Chase Domino would be 23 of 39, passing for three touchdowns and 347 yards with two interceptions.

“They had more turnovers than we did,” said Saint Paul’s coach Jimmy Perry. “The defense played real good in the second half, and forced some key turnovers. When two evenly matched teams play, turnovers will be the difference.”

“We had a total meltdown,” said Fairhope coach David Faulkner. “We turned the ball over the first three times we had it (in the third quarter). It was poor coaching, and it was my fault.”

The Pirates (3-2) will visit Robertsdale. Saint Paul’s (4-1) visits Vigor at Prichard Stadium.