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B2 SPORTS East Oregonian Friday, January 4, 2019 PREP ROUNDUP Umatilla boys claim day one of tourney By BRETT KANE East Oregonian AP Photo/John Froschauer, File In this Sept. 23, 2018, file photo, Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas, left, reaches for a pass he intercepted that was intended for Dallas Cowboys tight end Blake Jarwin, right, as Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner, center, looks on during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle. Wild-card: Rematches highlight weekend Continued from Page B1 think anybody’s approach will change in this locker room,” Andrew Luck says. “If you’ve played five, six, seven years in this league, you’ve overcome some- thing. So there are a lot of folks who have overcome a lot.” The Colts don’t let any defenders get to their quarterback, a stunning turnaround. Last season, which Luck missed with a right shoulder injury, Indy allowed 56 sacks, most in the league. In 2018 with Luck: 18, an NFL low. Indy also has two sen- sational rookies in line- backer Darius Leonard, who had 163 tackles, and guard Quenton Nelson. Neither team allowed a 100-yard rusher in 2018. Texans DE J.J. Watt, who along with Luck is a lead- ing contender for Come- back Player of the Year, had an AFC-leading 16 sacks, 25 quarterback hits, 18 tackles for losses and forced a career-high seven fumbles, which tied for most in the NFL. “To be able to get back to the top level of the game and know that I still have things to improve on and things that I want to get even better at, it’s excit- ing,” Watt says. Seattle (10-6) at Dallas (10-6) The Seahawks’ 24-13 win vs. the Cowboys got them back on track on their way to an unexpected playoff berth in a rebuild- ing year. Seattle’s the first team with a 1,000-yard rusher (Chris Carson) and three men with at least 300 yards on the ground since the 2001 Steelers, and led the NFL in rushing. The Seahawks also led the NFL with a plus-15 turn- over margin; their 11 give- aways tied for third fewest in league history. But Dallas, which has lost three straight to Seat- tle, with one touchdown scored in total, was 7-1 at home this season. It also will run the ball first with Ezekiel Elliott. “I just think over the course of the early part of the season, we learned a lot,” coach Jason Gar- rett says. “We learned a lot of things from the experi- ences we’re having and I think we’ve grown. Guys have played more, they’ve played more together, and I think we’ve benefited from that.” Los Angeles Chargers (12-4) at Baltimore (10-6) Two weeks ago, the visiting Ravens beat LA and moved atop the AFC North, which they then clinched last Sunday. Now comes a redux, and the Chargers will have top running back Melvin Gor- don back, a real boost. They will need a bal- anced offense, with Gor- don’s running comple- menting the passing of Philip Rivers, and a defense that can solve the speed and moves of Bal- timore’s Lamar Jackson. Since Jackson replaced an injured Joe Flacco at quar- terback, the Ravens are 6-1. Jackson and fellow rookie Gus Edwards give them a formidable running game to go with the No. 1-ranked defense in yards. “They just never let you get comfortable as an offense,” Rivers says. “It’s always something trying to keep you off-balance. “It’s going to be back and forth. There will be times where we pick everything up just right and do every- thing just right. There will be other times where we’re going to have to, again, manage all those things that they do so well.” Philadelphia (9-7) at Chicago (12-4) Thirty years ago, they played the ”Fog Bowl” at the old Soldier Field. There isn’t a whole lot of clarity about this matchup, either. The Bears, paced by a strong version of the Mon- sters of the Midway, have been the better team all year. But they are gener- ally playoff newbies, and they face perhaps the most resilient team in the league. Philly has been ravaged by injuries, yet here it is, making big plays on both sides of the ball thanks greatly to the veterans who had such a big role in its roll to the title a year ago: Nick Foles, Zack Ertz, Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox, Malcolm Jenkins. The Eagles still have to produce on the field, but their credentials are valid. “I know how our team has really fought this last month of the season, last six weeks,” coach Doug Pederson says. “And it does give you a little com- fort knowing that we’ve kind of went through this grind and we’re here now and we have to continue to grind and continue to work. “But I don’t think it’s any easier. It’s a different team again. Different set of circumstances. We have to travel. If we’re fortunate to win, we have to be on the road again. It feels differ- ent, but the excitement is the same.” There’s no shortage of excitement in Chi- cago, either. Under first- year coach Matt Nagy, the Bears have moved from last place in the usually difficult NFC North to the top. “I would say last year when we were play- ing good football, even though we had struggles within the team and strug- gles would be, you know, everything else was going haywire around us,” DT Akiem Hicks says, “but we were able to pull together and keep fighting. And there was no quit, and you saw that this year when we got into last minutes of the game and still fight- ing and coming up with those wins. You could tell that guys have that fight in them.” THE SEAHAWKS’ 24-13 WIN VS. THE COWBOYS GOT THEM BACK ON TRACK The Umatilla boys are now enjoying a nine-game streak after turning away Blanchet Catholic 51-40 at the Crusader Classic New Year’s Invitational in Salem on Thursday morning. “For traveling all last night, staying in a motel, and playing an early morning game, we did pretty good,” said coach Scott Bow. Umatilla was up by just one point at the end of the first quarter before posting 17 points over Blanchet’s eight in the second quarter for a 29-19 halftime lead. The Vikings stumbled in the third and were outscored 13-9, but came back in the fourth to claim the win. Senior guard Sebastian Garcia sank 15 points for the Vikings, and junior guard Andrew Earl had 13. Umatilla (10-1) will play Western Christian on Fri- day in the tournament’s sec- ond round. They’ll start the Eastern Oregon League with a home game against Irrigon (6-7) on Tuesday. “We’ve played a lot of good teams in these non- league games,” Bow said. “I’m ready to see us take on our league.” Girls The Umatilla girls fell to 2-9 after Santiam handed them a 35-19 loss at round one of the Crusader Classic New Year’s Invitational on Thursday. The Wolverines tore away early, taking a 9-2 lead at the end of the first quarter, leav- ing Umatilla unable to catch up. “I thought we did really well,” said Vikings coach McKenzie Davis. “We got some great looks at the net, but when it came down to it, they (Santiam) made the shots, and we didn’t.” Umatilla put up seven points against Santiam’s eight in the second quarter for a 17-9 Wolverine lead at the half. The Vikings could only manage 10 points in the second half. Senior guard Charlene Alvarez posted five points to lead Umatilla. Senior post Alexandra Ford and fresh- man post Taylor Durfey had four each. Two more Invitational games remain for Umatilla before they return home to begin Eastern Oregon League play. They host Irrigon (9-3) on Tuesday evening. “We’re pretty prepared for the league,” Davis said. “I’m looking forward to see- ing how the girls stack up against these teams. Right now, there’s not as much pressure because we’re in the preseason. I know peo- ple have kind of low expec- tations for us, so I’d like to see us show up, play some good basketball, and turn some heads.” Bucks: Teams trade lead several times Continued from Page B1 McGee outweighed his opponent 283-219. The ini- tial takedown was quick, and Kettle offered little resistance. “I felt it when everyone was cheering for Jacob,” McGee said. “The blood was flowing. You want to go out and compete for that.” McGee also admitted he was a little uneasy going into his bout with the match on the line. “I was a little scared, but it was go time,” McGee said. “Once I got the first couple of seconds of the match out of the way, I was OK.” Though Griffen and McGee had must-win matches, so did Aiden Hen- derson at 195. With the Staff photo by E.J. Harris Pendleton’s Jacob Griffin turns Redmond’s Dillon Young in the 220-pound match of the Bucks’ 36-32 win over the Panthers on Thursday in Pendleton. Griffin pinned Young in 50 seconds. Bucks trailing 32-21, Pend- leton needed to win its final three matches without giv- ing up a point. Henderson earned a 5-0 decision over Gabe Cauldell to set the table. “We competed hard,” Phillips said. “We had a third-string kid (Josh Wha- ley) at 160, and our 113 pounder (Kellen Hanson) was wrestling a state run- ner-up. We get pinned in those two matches, we lose the match.” The Bucks and Panthers traded the lead several times until Redmond won every match from 160 to 182 to take a 32-21 advantage. “We definitely didn’t wrestle to our potential,” Panthers coach Rob Spear said. “They stumbled. It wasn’t the outcome we wanted.” Collin Primus (106), Gabe Browning (120), Alex Rendon (132) and Matt Robertson (145) also won matches for Pendleton. The Bucks will compete in the Bend Invitational on Saturday, while Redmond will be at the Rollie Lane Invitational on Friday and Saturday in Nampa, Idaho. Pulisic: Joins Chelsea as most expensive American player Continued from Page B1 defender Alexi Lalas wrote on Twitter. “He just happens to be American ... which makes him even more valu- able. All brands want to continue to mine the fertile U.S. market, having Pulisic doesn’t hurt.” It is the most high-profile move secured by an Amer- ican outfield player, with goalkeepers Tim Howard having previously played for Manchester United and Brad Friedel for Liverpool. Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said the club has signed “one of Europe’s Pulisic, who can most sought-after play on either wing young players.” or behind the striker, “At just 20, we has been overshad- believe he has the owed somewhat at potential to become Dortmund this sea- an important Chel- son due to the emer- sea player for many gence of English Pulisic years to come,” she youngster Jadon said. Sancho. Sancho was Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri said he was signed from Manchester unaware the club was sign- City for $10 million in the ing Pulisic until a day before offseason of 2017 and has it was announced. already scored six Bunde- “I was asked about him sliga goals and set up nine a month ago,” said Sarri, more this season. Pulisic has made only speaking after Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Southampton late 11 league appearances Wednesday, “and my opin- (one goal, two assists) and ion was positive.” only five of those were as a starter. In a message posted on his Twitter account, Pulisic urged Dortmund fans to “not doubt my passion, determination and my 110 percent commitment to the team right until the last ball is kicked this season.” Dortmund leads the Ger- man league by six points heading into the second half of the season and is through to the last 16 of the Cham- pions League, where it will face Tottenham. Chelsea is fourth in the Premier League, 11 points behind first-place Liverpool after 20 games. SCOREBOARD LOCAL SLATE Friday, Jan. 4 Boys Basketball Pilot Rock at Union, 6 p.m. Weston-McEwen at Stanfield, 6 p.m. Condon/Wheeler at Ione, 7:30 p.m. Echo at Mitchell/Spray, 7:30 p.m. Joseph at Helix, 7:30 p.m. Powder Valley at Nixyaawii, 7:30 p.m. Riverside at Nyssa, 7:30 p.m. Irrigon at Vale, 7:30 p.m. Richland at Hermiston, 7:30 p.m. Umatilla at Salem Academy Tourney Girls Basketball Richland at Hermiston, 5:45 p.m. Condon/Wheeler at Ione, 6 p.m. Echo at Mitchell/Spray, 6 p.m. Joseph at Helix, 6 p.m. Powder Valley at Nixyaawii, 6 p.m. Irrigon at Vale, 6 p.m. Pilot Rock at Union, 7:30 p.m. Weston-McEwen at Stanfield, 7:30 p.m. Boys Wrestling Hermiston at Gut Check Invite (Seattle) Saturday, Jan. 5 Boys Basketball Mac-Hi at Baker, 3 p.m. Stanfield at Knappa, 3:30 p.m. Heppner at Weston-McEwen, 4 p.m. Enterprise at Pilot Rock, 4 p.m. Columbia Basin at Blue Mountain, 4 p.m. Ione at Echo, 5:30 p.m. Helix at Elgin, 5:30 p.m. Wallowa at Nixyaawii, 5:30 p.m. Hermiston at Kamiakin, 7:30 p.m. Girls Basketball Stanfield at Knappa, 2 p.m. Columbia Basin at Blue Mountain, 2 p.m. Ione at Echo, 4 p.m. Helix at Elgin, 4 p.m. Wallowa at Nixyaawii, 4 p.m. Baker at Mac-Hi, 4:30 p.m. Enterprise at Pilot Rock, 5:30 p.m. Heppner at Weston-McEwen, 5:30 p.m. Hermiston at Kamiakin, 5:45 p.m. Boys Wrestling Hermiston at Gut Check Invite (Seattle) 2018-19 BOWL GLANCE College Football Championship Monday, Jan. 7 Santa Clara, Calif. Clemson (14-0) vs. Alabama (14-0), 5 p.m. (ESPN) East-West Shrine Classic Saturday, Jan. 19 At St. Petersburg, Fla. East vs. West, 12 p.m. (NFLN) NFLPA Collegiate Bowl At Pasadena, Calif. American vs. National, TBA (NFLN) Senior Bowl Saturday, Jan. 26 At Mobile, Ala. North vs. South, 11:30 a.m. (NFLN) NFL PLAYOFF GLANCE Wild-card Playoffs Saturday, Jan. 5 Indianapolis at Houston, 1:35 p.m. (ESPN) Seattle at Dallas, 5:15 p.m. (FOX) Sunday, Jan. 6 L.A. Chargers at Baltimore, 10:05 a.m. (CBS) Philadelphia at Chicago, 1:40 p.m. (NBC) Divisional Playoffs Saturday, Jan. 12 Baltimore/Los Angeles Chargers/India- napolis at Kansas City, 4:35 p.m. (NBC) Chicago/Dallas/Seattle at L.A. Rams, 8:15 p.m. (FOX) Sunday, Jan. 13 Houston/Baltimore/Los Angeles Char- gers at New England, 10:05 a.m. (CBS) Dallas/Seattle/Philadelphia at New Orle- ans, 1:40 p.m. (FOX) NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic W L Toronto 28 12 Philadelphia 25 14 Boston 22 15 Brooklyn 18 21 New York 9 29 Southeast W L Miami 18 18 Charlotte 18 19 Orlando 17 20 Washington 15 23 Atlanta 11 26 Central W L Milwaukee 26 10 Indiana 25 12 Detroit 17 19 Chicago 10 28 Cleveland 8 30 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest W L Houston 21 15 San Antonio 22 17 Memphis 18 19 Dallas 18 19 New Orleans 17 22 Northwest W L Denver 25 11 Oklahoma City 24 13 Portland 22 16 Utah 18 20 Minnesota 17 21 Pct .700 .641 .595 .462 .237 Pct .500 .486 .459 .395 .297 Pct .722 .676 .472 .263 .211 GB — 2½ 4½ 9½ 18 GB — ½ 1½ 4 7½ GB — 1½ 9 17 19 Pct .583 .564 .486 .486 .436 Pct .694 .649 .579 .474 .447 GB — ½ 3½ 3½ 5½ GB — 1½ 4 8 9 Pacific W L Pct GB Golden State 25 13 .658 — L.A. Clippers 21 16 .568 3½ L.A. Lakers 21 17 .553 4 Sacramento 19 19 .500 6 Phoenix 9 30 .231 16½ ——— Thursday’s Games San Antonio 125, Toronto 107 Denver 117, Sacramento 113 Friday’s Games Utah at Cleveland, 4:30 p.m. Brooklyn at Memphis, 5 p.m. Dallas at Boston, 5 p.m. Indiana at Chicago, 5 p.m. Orlando at Minnesota, 5 p.m. Washington at Miami, 5 p.m. Atlanta at Milwaukee, 5:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Phoenix, 6 p.m. New York at L.A. Lakers, 7:30 p.m. Oklahoma City at Portland, 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s Games Charlotte at Denver, 2 p.m. Utah at Detroit, 4 p.m. Dallas at Philadelphia, 4:30 p.m. New Orleans at Cleveland, 5 p.m. Memphis at San Antonio, 5:30 p.m. Toronto at Milwaukee, 5:30 p.m. Golden State at Sacramento, 7 p.m. Houston at Portland, 7 p.m. Sunday’s Games Brooklyn at Chicago, 12:30 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Minnesota, 12:30 p.m. Orlando at L.A. Clippers, 12:30 p.m. Miami at Atlanta, 3 p.m. Washington at Oklahoma City, 4 p.m. Indiana at Toronto, 4:30 p.m. Charlotte at Phoenix, 5 p.m. NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic GP W L OT Pts Tampa Bay 40 31 7 2 64 Toronto 40 26 12 2 54 Boston 41 23 14 4 50 Buffalo 41 22 13 6 50 Montreal 41 22 14 5 49 Florida 39 17 16 6 40 Detroit 42 15 20 7 37 Ottawa 41 15 21 5 35 Metropolitan GP W L OT Pts Washington 39 24 12 3 51 Pittsburgh 40 22 12 6 50 Columbus 39 23 13 3 49 N.Y. Islanders 39 22 13 4 48 N.Y. Rangers 39 17 15 7 41 Carolina 39 17 17 5 39 New Jersey 39 15 17 7 37 Philadelphia 40 15 20 5 35 GF 168 147 120 119 130 127 118 129 GF 140 140 129 117 113 99 117 114 GA 117 113 109 118 128 138 145 163 GA 117 117 119 104 130 112 132 145 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central GP W L OT Winnipeg 39 25 12 2 Nashville 41 24 15 2 Dallas 41 21 16 4 Colorado 41 19 14 8 Minnesota 39 19 17 3 Chicago 43 15 21 7 St. Louis 38 16 18 4 Pacific GP W L OT Calgary 42 25 13 4 Vegas 43 24 15 4 San Jose 42 22 13 7 Anaheim 41 19 15 7 Vancouver 44 20 20 4 Edmonton 40 19 18 3 Arizona 40 17 21 2 Los Angeles 41 16 22 3 Pts 52 50 46 46 41 37 36 Pts 54 52 51 45 44 41 36 35 GF 134 124 113 138 114 123 107 GF 150 130 145 102 128 114 101 92 GA 111 104 110 128 111 156 125 GA 121 115 133 120 138 127 115 121 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. Top three teams in each division and two wild cards per conference advance to playoffs.< Thursday’s Games Minnesota 4, Toronto 3 Carolina 5, Philadelphia 3 Buffalo 4, Florida 3 Boston 6, Calgary 4 N.Y. Islanders 3, Chicago 2, OT Montreal 2, Vancouver 0 St. Louis 5, Washington 2 Friday’s Games Winnipeg at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m. Nashville at Detroit, 4:30 p.m. Columbus at Carolina, 4:30 p.m. Washington at Dallas, 5 p.m. New Jersey at Arizona, 6 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at Colorado, 6 p.m. Vegas at Anaheim, 7 p.m. Saturday’s Games Calgary at Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Minnesota at Ottawa, 10 a.m. Columbus at Florida, 4 p.m. Vancouver at Toronto, 4 p.m. Nashville at Montreal, 4 p.m. Buffalo at Boston, 4 p.m. N.Y. Islanders at St. Louis, 5 p.m. Edmonton at Los Angeles, 7 p.m. Tampa Bay at San Jose, 8 p.m. Sunday’s Games Carolina at Ottawa, 10 a.m. N.Y. Rangers at Arizona, 1 p.m. New Jersey at Vegas, 1 p.m. Washington at Detroit, 2 p.m. Dallas at Winnipeg, 2 p.m. Edmonton at Anaheim, 5 p.m. Chicago at Pittsburgh, 5 p.m.