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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 2019)
6 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Outlaws play tough against Valiants Outlaws earn top honors at tournament By Rongi Yost Correspondent The Outlaws put up a hard-fought fight at home against Valley Catholic on Friday, September 13, but were unable to move the ball on their last possession of the game and lost by three, 22-19. Valley Catholic may have hit Reed Stadium with thoughts of rolling over the Outlaws like they did last year, but this year the Outlaws were ready. The Valiants discovered the Outlaws were defensively prepared and able to contain the potent offense of quarter- back Daniel Pruitt and run- ning back Trey Eberhart. The Outlaws had a ter- rible first quarter, and their offense was stifled as the Valiants came out in a differ- ent defense than what they9d played in the past. At the end of the period the Valiants were on top 14-0, with the aid of an onside kick that was recovered near midfield. With 2:47 left in the half, Sisters made a big stop on fourth down. Hunter Spor and Ethan Martin ran the ball up the middle, Hayden Sharp had a big 43-yard outside run, and then Taylor Fendall wove his way through traffic for an 11-yard TD run. At the half Sisters trailed 14-6, but were in sync on both sides of the ball. Sisters opened the sec- ond half with a balanced attack with in-and-out runs, pitches and various combi- nations which allowed them to march down the field. The drive culminated in a pitch to Gator Haken for a four-yard TD run that narrowed the margin to 14-13. The Valiants drove the ball to the Outlaws one-yard line where a fumbled snap led to a recovery by Anthony Randolph at the two-yard line. Sisters first play from the two was a loss and the situation looked grim. Coach Neil Fendall made a gutsy call. He called a play By Rongi Yost Correspondent PHOTO BY CHARLIE KANZIG The Outlaws made a valiant stand against Valley Catholic, but ultimately fell 21-19. action from the goal line, complete to Hayden Sharp for a 98-yard TD score for the Outlaws9 first lead of the game, 19-14, with 5:34 left on the clock. Sisters forced a punt, had a three-and-out, and punted again. The Valiants faced a fourth down at midfield, but were able to get behind the Outlaws9 pass coverage for a long TD and a two-point conversion with just under two minutes left in the game. The Outlaws were unable to move the ball on their final possession and suffered the heartbreaking loss. Coach Fendall said, <I9m really proud of the guys. It was a lot of fun. In terms of how we competed I think we9re back to where we were last year. We9re playing scrappy and hard. The guys did a lot of great things. We fought and came back and offensively found traction.= Randolph was an irresist- ible force for the Outlaws and lived in the Valiants9 backfield for much of the game. He finished the night with a sack, a tackle for loss, a fumble recovery, as well as several assisted tackles. Randolph commented on the difference in the team9s play from the previous week. <This week we worked a lot more on defense because we saw we were pretty weak in that area,= said Randolph. or any 16-20 lb. bag of Cat Food 25% OFF Women’s & Men’s Summer Wear From DINING & TAKE-OUT until midnight every night Menu at SistersSaloon.net 541-549-RIBS 190 E. Cascade Ave. 290 W. Cascade Ave. 541-549-8424 www.mackenziecreekmercantile.com Celebr ate Quilting! Join us for the Central Oregon Bring in this coupon for $2 OFF $1 OFF <We knew we just had to wear them down because we9re ironmen and we go strong the whole game.= Liam Elesio played side- line-to-sideline from his linebacker spot. Elesio fin- ished with five solo tackles, a tackle for loss, and a high- light-reel interception, where he bobbled the ball three or four times before securing the pick. Elesio explained how the interception unfurled. <It was just crazy,= said Elesio, laughing. <The ball deflected off Hunter Spor and then hopped up in the air. I just kind of went off my two weeks of receiver train- ing that I had early in my freshman year before getting switched to lineman. I just tried my best and it worked out well.= Garrett Kersavage had a key interception on the one- yard line that saved a score. Ethan Martin was a bulldozer on defense, and Hayden Sharp9s speed was too much for Valley Catholic, Hayden ended the night with one reception for 98 yards as well as 66 yards rushing. The Outlaws will travel to Crook County on Friday, September 20. The Lady Outlaws par- ticipated in the South Eugene 11-team Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, September 14. Sisters was the lone 4A team in attendance, along with four 5A teams, and six 6A teams. The Outlaws proved they could play with the much larger schools and defeated 5A North Eugene in the championship game to win it all. In pool play, Sisters faced 6A Roseburg and 6A McNary. They beat both teams and finished pool play 5-1. This placed them in a four-way tie for first place with Grants Pass, North Eugene, and Silverton, and after calculat- ing points the Outlaws fin- ished fourth in the eight-team Gold Bracket. Sisters faced Roseburg again in their first match of the afternoon. In the morn- ing the Outlaws struggled to find consistency against the Indians, but came out strong the second time around. They served hard and their fast- paced offense kept Roseburg out of their system. Sisters beat the Indians 2-0. Sophie Silva led the Outlaws with eight kills, 10 digs, and four aces. Coach Rory Rush said, <Sophie played smart defense along the net and made the Indians pay for over- passes with calculated put- backs, and had their defense scrambling.= In their next match against South Medford, the Outlaws9 strong serves and their cal- culated offense proved to be too much for the Panthers to handle. South Medford would never see a lead in the match and Sisters defeated them 2-0. With the win over the Panthers, the Outlaws advanced to the champi- onship match, where they faced undefeated 5A North Eugene. Ellie Rush served strong and the Outlaws took a quick 5-0 lead, which caused the Highlanders to call an early timeout. Sisters never trailed in the first set and easily posted the win. The tide changed and the Outlaws had a rough start in the sec- ond set and found them- selves trailing 7-1. After a timeout the Outlaws calmed down, refocused, and bat- tled back to tie it up. The score went back and forth until Sam Silva gave Sisters a six-point lead with three service aces, and the team sailed to a championship victory. any 30-35-40 lb. bag of Dog Food Quilt Shop Hop! THURSDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26-28 • 9AM-5:30PM Demos • Doo r Prizes • Dis counte d Ite ms • Refres hments • Sever al Prize Drawings! Also shop our Clear the Attic Parking Lot Sale and the Quilter’s Stash Swap on Saturday! 102 E. Main Ave. Don’t miss this great chance for deals on fabrics, patterns and more. 541-549-4151 Hop to all seven par ticipating shops in Central Oregon! Offer good through 10-16-19. Coupon not valid with any other promotion. Limit one coupon per customer per month. 541.549.6061 | 311 W. Cascade Ave. | www.stitchinpost.com