Defense highlighted the day as the Highline Pirates met the Hazen Highlanders at Highline Memorial Stadium Thursday.

The two Seamount League rivals played to a 0-0 tie through the first half before Hazen scored two touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead in the second half and then held on for the win.

Highlanders kicker Michael Ion attempted two field goals in the first half and missed, then made both of the kicks for the extra point in the second half.

The first field goal attempt that narrowly went awry came with 5:16 left in the second quarter from 27 yards out, and the next was from 31 yards out with only two seconds on the second quarter clock. That attempt was a low line shot that skimmed off the turf way short of the goal post.

Hazen broke the scoreless tie at 8:03 to play in the third quarter when Pedro Trujillo rumbled up the middle for a 32-yard touchdown run.
The Highlanders of Renton struck again with 7:35 left to play in the fourth quarter. This time James Holland ran around the left end for a 5-yard touchdown.

Highline ended the game on a drive that was stopped 22 yards out as the clock expired.

Fumbles were a problem for both teams, although Highline got the worst of it.

The Pirates committed four fumbles and lost three, while Hazen was hit by five fumbles but only lost one.

Highline will be looking for better results when it hosts Mount Rainier for a 7 p.m. game Friday.