South Umpqua couldn't hold on to a second half lead and fell to visiting Phoenix 28-27 Saturday afternoon at Kent Wigle Stadium in Tri City.

The Lancers (1-2) scored on their opening possession marching 80 yards capped off by Connor Yates' 4 yard TD run. SU added to its lead in the final minute of the first half on a 15 yard touchdown pass from William Wylie to Taylor Gross.

After the Pirates (2-1) cut the lead to 14-7, senior Johnathan Warner took the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown putting SU back up by two scores.

Phoenix scored the next 21 points of the game, including a pair of TD receptions by Chase Courtney.

South Umpqua was able to march 95 yards in the final 2 minutes with Gross scoring on a 27 yard reverse, but the two-point conversion failed and the Pirates hung on for the one-point win.

(Photos by Darla Foster)