Put the ball in the air enough times against a talented defensive backfield, and you might find your offense is playing with fire.

DeLaSalle was served that lesson first hand Friday night. The Islanders watched Park Center’s Amani Hooker burn them with three interceptions - two he returned for touchdowns - to help lead the Pirates to a 35-7 road victory.

Hooker finished with pick-6 returns of 65 and 100 yards, and he also added a 64-yard run for a TD as the University of Iowa recruit made his mark on all sides of the ball.

“This was a big team win for us,” Hooker said afterward. “When everyone else (on defense) is doing their job and playing as a team, you can feel it. When that happens, any one of us can step up and make a big play.”

Ty'shonan Brooks also swooped up an interception he returned 45 yards for a TD in the first quarter to set it all off. Things were shaping up just the way the Park Center defensive coordinators had hoped for.

“We just knew that if (DeLaSalle) was going to keep throwing the ball, then we were going to get a few,” Pirates coach Paul Strong said. “We think we’ve got the best secondary in the state, and in my opinion, two of the baddest linebackers out.”

Park Center’s starting defense pitched a shutout (DeLaSalle scored against the Pirates’ backups in the fourth quarter during a running clock) while its offense struck a balance between the run and the pass to keep the tempo in its favor. 

Senior running back Ronde Berry led Park Center with 68 yards on 13 carries and senior quarterback Karl Altenburg, making his third career start, moved the offense effectively while connecting with five different receivers.

It was a step forward for a Pirates offense still trying to carve out its identity.

“We understand what kinds of mistakes we made (in a loss to Spring Lake Park), and we were determined not to make them again,” Altenburg said. “Today, we came out and we did everything better.”

One week after four turnovers stalled Park Center’s offense and its defense let Spring Lake Park break off on average five yards per carry, things are starting to look up again for the Pirates, who improved their record to 2-1.

“I’ve been challenging them all week, this could make or break our season,” Strong said. “The team knew all week this would be an important game, and they responded.”

DeLaSalle dropped its record to 1-2, while Park Center turns its focus toward a Week 4 home matchup against Robbinsdale Armstrong. Until then, the Pirates will keep sawing wood.

“We will keep going forward with the same mentality,” Hooker says. “Practice hard and show up."

Amani Hooker finished with three interceptions, two of them he returned for touchdowns, to help lead Park Center past host DeLaSalle 35-7 Friday night on Nicollet Island.

Hooker finished with pick-6 returns of 65 and 100 yards, and he also added a 64-yard reception for a TD as the University of Iowa recruit made his mark on all sides of the ball.

The Pirates starting defense pitched the shutout (DeLaSalle scored in the fourth quarter during a running clock against Park Center's backups) while their offense struck a balance between the run and the pass to keep the tempo in their favor. Senior running back Ronde Berry led the team with 68 yards on 13 carries.

Ty'shonan Brooks swooped up an interception and returned 45 yards for a touchdown early in the first quarter to set it all off for the Pirates, who built a 21-0 lead by halftime and increased it to 35-0 to start the fourth quarter.

With the victory, Park Center improved its record to 2-1 and bounced back after a disappointing loss last week to Spring Lake Park.

DeLaSalle's record dropped to 1-2 as the young Islanders squad works its way through rebuilding mode. 

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