E AST O REGONIAN Thursday, March 11, 2021 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @EOSPORTS | FACEBOOK.COM/EOSPORTS A7 Dawgs ready to run on Wa-Hi hermiston’s lines controlled the game against hanford By ANNIE FOWLER East Oregonian hErMsITON — It all starts up front. The better the line controls the play, the more successful you will be. hermiston got a monster game from both lines last week against hanford, and the Bulldogs hope to keep that going this week when they host Walla Walla on Friday, March 12. “Everything is reflected in the trenches,” Hermiston coach david Faaeteete said. “We were able to control the game on both sides of the ball. We ran for almost 300 yards, and our O-line takes pride in that.” defensively, hermiston limited hanford to 133 yards rushing. “To be as effective as we were in stopping the run, everything will feed off that,” Faaeteete said. “We did make some mistakes, gave up big plays, and didn’t finish tackles. A lot of first-game mistakes, but the kids played hard.” hermiston and hanford played in an empty Fran rish stadium, but Faaeteete said they will take a game any way they can get one. “It was so weird. It was like practice,” Faaeteete said. “It’s fun to see the kids out there playing. It’s nice to see the camaraderie the game of football has. It’s different than any other sport. It was fun to watch and be a part of.” The Bulldogs (1-0) got a solid performance from junior quarterback chase Elliott against hanford. Elliott, who broke his leg in the opening game last year, threw for 255 yards and one touchdown, and ran for 113 yards and two scores. “Chase did a really good job,” Faaeteete said. “He managed the game well, and he managed the ball really well in the fourth quarter. To rush for 100 yards and throw for over 200, that is a solid game for anyone. he’s not afraid to pull the trigger and get his feet going.” daniel Faaeteete added 115 yard rushing and one touchdown, and Thomas reagan added 43 yards before turning an ankle. “Thomas was very explosive and ran hard,” Faae- teete said. “daniel did a nice job. What got them up field was the O-line. Two had never played a varsity game before, but they got the job done.” Defensively, Sam Cadenas finished with three quarterback sacks, and Tyson stocker had a handful of stops for loss. “We saw guys getting tired and we took advantage,” Faaeteete said. against Walla Walla, the Bulldogs get a Blue devils team that is 1-1, but coming off a 32-7 loss to Kamiakin. “I think Walla Walla is a good team, but when you play a juggernaut like Kamiakin, it’s hard to tell,” Faae- teete said. “They are well-coached, they have improved and they never quit — they fight tooth and nail for everything.” The Blue devils return quarterback ryan Martus- celli, a handful of skill position players, and kicker seamus hall. “Their quarterback has a lot of moxie,” Faaeteete said. “They run a lot of motion. Their run game is tough, which is different from the past.” Kathy Aney/East Oregonian, File Pendleton’s Zaanan Bane gets yardage while trying to evade Blake Morkert (1) and Drake Kramer (3), of Scappoose, on Sept. 27, 2019, at the Pendleton Round-Up Arena. RUNNING WILD Pendleton’s defense, run game will be key against Ridgeview By ANNIE FOWLER East Oregonian P ENdLETON — Pendleton’s defense kept Parkrose out of the end zone, and the Bucks’ offense ran wild as they opened the season last week with a 46-0 victory on the road. “We had a great opening game,” Pend- leton coach Erik davis said. “It was excit- ing.” davis hopes to see the same on Friday, March 12, when the Bucks host ridgeview in a special district 1 game at the round-up Grounds. “We haven’t played them in several years, but central Oregon teams are always competitive,” Davis said. “Our kids are ready to go.” The ravens had better come with their track shoes on if they hope to contain the Pendleton backfield of Tyasin Burns and Zaanan Bane. Burns ran for three touchdowns and returned a punt for another against the Broncos, while Bane broke free for 70 yards and a touchdown. Their time was limited in the second half. “Tyasin came as advertised,” Davis said. “We questioned how his game would Kathy Aney/East Oregonian, File Pendleton’s Blake Swanson (12) breaks away from Parkrose’s Izaiah Parks for a touchdown during an Oct. 18, 2019, league game at the Pendleton Round-Up Arena. translate from 8-man to 11-man, and 1a to 5a. There is zero doubt he can succeed at this level. his numbers (50 yards) weren’t gaudy, but they weren’t indicative of how he can play.” When Burns wasn’t doing his thing, Bane was doing his. “When he didn’t have the ball, he was willing to go out and block for people,” davis said. “On defense, he forced a fumble.” Pendleton started sophomore quar- TigerScots looking for second win against Vikings terback Jack davis last week as senior Brogan Biggerstaff did not have enough practices. davis said they would both play against ridgeview. davis completed 9 of 11 passes for nearly 100 yards in his varsity debut. he also ran for a touchdown and threw for a 2-point conversion. “I asked him to manage the game,” coach davis said. “I was so proud of him. No turnovers, and he distributed passes on time and on target. he and Brogan will share snaps so he continues to have a feel for the game.” The Bucks defense also was on point last week. Kyle Liscom had 15 solo tackles, and Blake swanson and david Welch were solid. “One of our strengths was team speed on the defensive side of the ball,” Davis said. “We knew defensively we could be pretty dominant. david Welch is a hard-working kid, and Kyle does what Kyle does.” The ravens are coming off a 33-0 victory over Putnam, their first shutout since 2013 when they won the 4a state title. ridgeview got 150 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Gannon Jeter. ON THE SLATE THURSDAY, MARCH 11-SATURDAY, MARCH 20 By ANNIE FOWLER East Oregonian aThENa — Kenzie hansell’s enthusiasm is infec- tious. The se cond-yea r Weston-McEwen football coach and his Tigerscots are coming off a 19-8 victory last week over Stanfield, and are riding that high as they prepare to hit the road to take on umatilla on Thursday, March 11. Kathy Aney/East Oregonian, File “We get to play, that’s the Weston-McEwen quarterback Blane Peal looks for a receiv- exciting part,” Hansell said. er during a nonleague game against Culver on Sept. 21, “I couldn’t be more excited 2018, at Hermiston High School. The TigerScots lost 27-16. for the entire program, the students and the community. HEPPNER AT STAN- the ball (also at middle line- These young student-athletes FIELD: The Tigers are coming backer), which is new for him.” have been preparing for a year off a loss to Weston-McEwen heppner is coming off a and a half to get back on the last week, but coach davie 35-0 win over Grant union. field. I’m very proud of where salas said he liked what he saw The Mustangs held the Pros- from his team. pectors to just 83 yards of things are at.” “The most important thing offense. The Vikings played 7-on-7 against riverside last week is I wanted to see what kind of PILOT ROCK AT because of a lack of practices effort we would have,” Salas ADRIAN: The rockets are in pads. This week, it’s full-on said. “We were in position to going from the frying pan into contact football. win the game a time or two. the fire. “umatilla is very athletic We were down 13-8 and we Pilot rock lost a 60-14 and they do a lot of good things had stopped them. The first game at dufur last week, and offensively,” Hansell said. play from scrimmage, we on Friday, March 12, they are The Tigerscots had some fumbled the ball. We also had a headed to adrian to play the flashes of brilliance against touchdown called back. It was defending 1a state champion. Stanfield. Quarterback Blaine a great game by both teams.” “What’s rough is I only Peal threw for two touchdowns salas said he had to replace have two returning starters and ran for another, while his entire line from tackle to from last year,” Pilot Rock Theo White was on the receiv- tight end, but said the line did a coach Mike Baleztena said. ing end of both touchdowns. nice job of blocking for senior “dufur was really in sync. “We have a lot of kids out, running back Enrique arel- adrian returns its quarter- and we have a lot of commu- lano, who had 20 carries for 99 back (conley Martin), and its nity support,” Hansell said. yards against the Tigerscots. JV team was good. They will “He is tough as nails,” Salas still be very good.” “The kids are committed to their team and community.” said. “he played both sides of The rockets have 19 play- ers on the roster, but seven are freshmen. They do return senior quarterback Tanner corwin, and running back riley Waggoner ran for 158 yards against dufur. “We have a good group of boys,” Baleztena said. “We will take our lumps this year, and maybe next, but we have some good young kids.” MCLOUGHLIN AT GRANT UNION: The Pioneers played a jamboree at Irrigon last week, but will be tested by the Prospectors, who are licking their wounds from a 35-0 loss to heppner. ECHO AT MITCHELL/ SPRAY/WHEELER: Both teams will be looking for their first win of the season. The cougars are coming off a 54-19 loss to sherman/ condon, while the Loggers, whose roster sports seven freshmen, were shut out 33-0 by dayville/Monument. UNION AT IONE/ ARLINGTON: The cardi- nals had a tough go of things against defending 1a state champion adrian in a 54-0 loss last week. hunter Padberg returns to anchor the lines for the cardi- nals, who have just two seniors on their roster. The Bobcats will be play- ing their first game on March 12. IRRIGON AT RIVER- SIDE: The teams will meet in Boardman on saturday, March 13, for a scrimmage. THURSDAY, MARCH 11 Prep football Weston-McEwen at Umatilla, 5 p.m. Prep cross-country Umatilla at Stanfield Country Run, 3 p.m. Prep slowpitch softball Moses Lake at Hermiston (2), 3 p.m. Prep girls soccer Hermiston at The Dalles, 4 p.m. Prep volleyball Pendleton at Hermiston, 7 p.m. Nixyaawii at McLoughlin, 5 p.m. Pilot Rock at Heppner, 5 p.m. Weston-McEwen at Riverside, 5 p.m. Griswold at Umatilla, 5 p.m. Ione/Arlington at Echo, 5:30 p.m. FRIDAY, MARCH 12 Prep football Walla Walla at Hermiston, 7 p.m. Ridgeview at Pendleton/Nixyaawii, 7 p.m. McLoughlin at Grant Union, 4 p.m. Heppner at Stanfield, 7 p.m. Echo at Mitchell/Spray/Wheeler, 1 p.m. Union at Ione/Arlington, 7 p.m. Pilot Rock at Adrian, 5 p.m. Prep volleyball Echo at Mitchell/Spray, 6 p.m. Prep girls soccer Riverside at Pendleton JV, 4:30 p.m. SATURDAY, MARCH 13 Prep football Irrigon at Riverside (scrimmage), 5 p.m. Prep volleyball Walla Walla at Hermiston, 2 p.m. Pilot Rock at Grant Union, noon Irrigon at McLoughlin, noon Crook County at Pendleton, 11 a.m. La Grande at Pendleton, 3 p.m. Prep girls soccer Hood River Valley at Hermiston, noon Ontario at Pendleton, noon McLoughlin at The Dalles/Dufur, noon Prep boys soccer The Dalles/Dufur at McLoughlin, noon Umatilla at Riverside, noon Prep cross-country Hermiston at Kennewick MCC meet, 10 a.m. McLoughlin at Pioneer Invite, 9 a.m. MONDAY, MARCH 15 Prep volleyball Irrigon at Hermiston, 7 p.m. Umatilla at Weston-McEwen, 5 p.m. Prep girls soccer Riverside at Stanfield/Echo, 4 p.m. TUESDAY, MARCH 16 Prep volleyball Pendleton at Hood River, 6:30 p.m. Irrigon at Weston-McEwen, 5 p.m. Stanfield at Heppner, 5 p.m. Pilot Rock at Riverside, 5 p.m. Nixyaawii at Griswold, 5 p.m. Condon at Ione/Arlington, 5 p.m. Prep girls soccer Hermiston at Pendleton, 6 p.m. McLoughlin at Umatilla, 5:30 p.m. Prep boys soccer Ontario at Pendleton, 4 p.m. McLoughlin at Umatilla, 7 p.m. Irrigon at Riverside, 4 p.m. Prep slowpitch softball Hermiston at Chiawana (2), 3 p.m. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17 Prep volleyball McLoughlin at Hermiston, 7 p.m. Prep cross-country The Dalles at Pendleton, Birch Creek, 2 p.m. THURSDAY, MARCH 18 Prep football Grant Union at Heppner, 4 p.m. Umatilla at Stanfield, 7 p.m. Imbler at Pilot Rock, 5 p.m. Prep volleyball The Dalles at Pendleton, 6:30 p.m. Weston-McEwen at Stanfield, 4 p.m. Nixyaawii at Pilot Rock, 4 p.m. Ione/Arlington at Sherman, 5 p.m. Riverside at Umatilla, 5 p.m. Prep cross-country Umatilla, Ione at Mustang Invite, 3 p.m. Prep girls soccer Pendleton at Redmond, 4:30 p.m. Prep boys soccer Redmond at Pendleton, 4 p.m. Irrigon at McLoughlin, 5 p.m. Prep slowpitch softball Walla Walla at Hermiston (2), 3 p.m. FRIDAY, MARCH 19 Prep football Kennewick at Hermiston, 7 p.m. Irrigon at McLoughlin, 7 p.m. Riverside at Weston-McEwen, 3:30 p.m. South Wasco County at Echo, 7 p.m. Dufur at Ione/Arlington, 6 p.m. Prep volleyball Grant Union at Heppner, noon Weston-McEwen JV at Griswold, 5 p.m. Prep girls soccer Riverside at Umatilla, 2 p.m. Trout Lake at Stanfield/Echo, 1 p.m. Prep boys soccer Riverside at Umatilla, 4 p.m. SATURDAY, MARCH 20 Prep football Hood River Valley at Pendleton, 1 p.m. Prep volleyball Hermiston at Hood River, 2:45 p.m. Pendleton at The Dalles, 11 a.m. Weston-McEwen at McLoughlin, 11 a.m. Stanfield at Grant Union, noon Heppner at Irrigon, 1 p.m. Echo at Condon, noon Prep cross-country Hermiston at Richland MCC meet, 10 a.m. Prep girls soccer Hermiston at Chiawana, noon McLoughlin at Pendleton JV, noon