Adam Buirge didn’t feel as sore as he normally does when he woke up Saturday morning. The clouds and rain did nothing to dampen his spirits.
     The Park Center junior was basking in the aftermath of the Pirates’ 48-14 victory over Armstrong on Friday night. Who could blame him? It was their first Northwest Suburban Conference victory since 2010 — two years before the 6-foot, 180-pound Buirge arrived — breaking a streak of 24 consecutive league losses.
     “That was so much fun,” Buirge said. “We were firing on all cylinders. My phone has been blowing up since we won.”
Much of which had to do with the play of the fleet defensive back/kick returner/wide receiver/emotional leader. He made eight tackles and intercepted two passes, returning one 45 yards for a touchdown. He returned three kickoffs for 130 yards and caught three passes for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Buirge, who has run a 4.43 40-yard dash and is high on the Gophers’ recruiting list, said he hoped the victory would make opponents respect the Pirates more.
     “We’re trying to prove we’re a better team than people think we are,” he said. “We have the skill players, and we can make the plays. We just don’t have the numbers. But if good teams take us lightly, they’ll lose.”