Fox held on for a 16-10 Northwest Conference football win over visiting Whitworth in the season finale for both teams on Saturday afternoon.

The Bruins finish 6-3 overall and 6-1 in the NWC for sole possession of second place.  The Pirates drop to 7-3, 4-3 and end up fourth in the league standings.

Gio Fregoso, Whitworth's third string quarterback, threw over the middle to Dylan Ashbeck from the 11-yard-line with two seconds left.  Ashbeck got his hands on the ball, but Lucas Schwin knocked the ball away.  Fregoso moved the Pirates 52 yards on the final drive to get the team in position for a potential win.

Schwin set up George Fox with an interception and return to the Whitworth 31 yard line with 4:19 to play.  The Bruins scored the winning touchdown with 1:46 left when Haiden Schaan completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Adam Hawker.  GFU missed the extra point, leaving the door open for a potential Pirate comeback.

Ethan Kassebaum scored on a six-yard run late in the first, capping a 49-yard drive that gave the Bruins a 7-0 lead.

Whitworth responded with its only touchdown drive when Isaiah Jones ran in from one yard.  The possession was extended when Fregoso completed a 10-yard pass to Cameron Sheley on 4^th and 10 at the GFU 36. 

Jason Santoni kicked a 34-yard field goal four minutes later to give the Bruins the lead back.

GFU had a chance to extend the lead at the end of the half after Schaan completed a 47-yard completion to Leon Johnson III at the Whitworth ten-yard line.  Mason Bertelli recorded a sack on the final play of the second period to end the threat.

Whitworth's defense dominated the Bruins for most of the second half, holding GFU to 18 yards on 24 plays through the first five possessions.

The Pirates tied the game 10-10 when Nate Rapue kicked a 45-yard field goal with 9:19 to play in the third. 

Whitworth had two chances to take its first lead late in the third and early in the fourth.  A long punt return by Bryce Hornbeck and an interception by Jacob Hogger set up scoring opportunities.  But the Bruins were able to block a pair of Whitworth field goal attempts.

Down to third and fourth stringers at quarterback, receiver and returner, Whitworth hung with George Fox to the final play.

Fregoso completed 25 of 36 passes for 184 yards.  He only had the one interception. Kanen Ables, who began the season as a backup QB but moved to tight end, finished with eight catches for 46 yards, including a 4^th down conversion on the final drive that kept the Pirates' hopes alive.  Dillon Kuk also had eight catches for 55 yards.  Solomon Hines ran for 69 yards on 15 carries, while Isaiah Jones rushed for 55 yards on 15 carries and scored the only touchdown. 

Whitworth actually outgained GFU 315-279 and had 20 first downs to only 13 for the Bruins.  The Pirates had the ball for 33:30.

Schaan completed 19 of 33 passes for 218 yards with one touchdown and one interception.  He also ran for 23 yards on 13 attempts, while Ethan Kassebaum was held to 26 yards on ten rushes.  Whitworth limited George Fox to 61 yards on 27 carries.  Leon Johnson III had four catches for 109 yards.

Patrick Serrano led Whitworth's defense with eight tackles, while Hogger made six stops to go with his interception.  The Pirates sacked Schaan four times.