A9 SPORTS East Oregonian Thursday, March 18, 2021 Umatilla: Continued from Page A8 Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian Pendleton’s Kyle Liscom (21) dives on a fumbled ball during the Buckaroos’ 20-12 win over the Ridgeview Ravens at the Pendleton Round-Up Arena on Friday, March 12, 2021. Pendleton: ‘Everyone on our team likes a challenge’ Continued from Page A8 defensive line. “They take on the big guys up front so I can get my job done.” On off ense, the Bucks use Liscom as a slot receiver, and he occasionally runs the ball. “With our size of school, our kids don’t have the luxury to pick just one side of the ball,” Davis said. Liscom learned a thing or two from his older brother, Kirk, who now is at the United States Naval Acad- emy, though he’s not play- ing football. Once Kirk left, Liscom took to wearing his brother’s No. 21 jersey. Liscom has another year to impress college programs, should he choose to play at the next level. His size might deter some coaches. “If he was 6-4, 230, I’d have Division I schools knocking on my door,” Davis said. “He is very dura- ble.” Liscom said he’s OK being a smaller guy playing bigger than what he is. “I do decent with what I’ve got,” Liscom said. “I got the brains from my mom (Shelley), and my dad (Matt) has coached me since youth football.” A diff erent look Pendleton welcomed football players from nearby Nixyaawii High School this season when they could no longer play at Pilot Rock. For Liscom, he likes having his childhood friend Tyasin Burns in the backfi eld. “They are good kids and they play hard,” Liscom said. “I grew up playing baseball with Tyasin. It’s fun to to play football with him.” The Bucks also are play- ing in front of just a handful of fans because of COVID- 19 safety protocols. Last week against Ridgeview, they were allowed 75 fans at the Round-Up Arena, which seats thousands. “We are very thankful to be doing whatever we can to play this year,” Liscom said. “We want to play one last time for our seniors.” Bucks vs. Hood River Valley The Bucks have won four in a row against the Eagles, including a 49-38 victory in 2019, but Hood River (2-0) is looking to get back in the win column on Saturday, March 20. Eagles senior Tanner Fletcher (5-9, 190) leads all running backs at the 5A level with 426 yards on 66 carries. Junior cornerback Ryles Buckley had three intercep- tions and forced a fumble in a 22-0 win over Redmond last week. Hood River has some size up front with seniors Henry Buckles (6-3, 285), who is headed to Oregon State University, and Emilio Castaneda (6-2, 285), who is committed to Western Oregon University. “They are big and physi- cal,” Davis said. “Those two pose a threat on the off en- sive and defensive lines. Their running back has over 400 yards in two games. We are going to have to be very good to stay with them.” Liscom said the Bucks are ready to battle. “Everyone on our team likes a challenge,” Liscom said. “It will be good to see how we do against a Divi- sion I player.” Kathy Aney/East Oregonian ON THE SLATE THURSDAY, MARCH 18 Prep football Grant Union at Heppner, 4 p.m. Umatilla at Stanfi eld, 7 p.m. Imbler at Pilot Rock, 5 p.m. Prep volleyball The Dalles at Pendleton, 6:30 p.m. Weston-McEwen at Stanfi eld, 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. for the game. Q u a r t e r b a c k Ry a n Lorence will run the show for the Vikings. The senior led the team last week with 88 yards rushing and Umatil- la’s lone touchdown against Weston-McEwen. He also threw for 90 yards. Oscar Campos was Lorence’s go-to man, hauling in four catches for 57 yards. Stanfi eld is coming off a 46-0 loss to Heppner, where it was held to 65 yards off off ense. The run game was able to roll up 89 yards, but the passing game faltered against the Mustangs. R I VERSIDE AT W E STON - MC EW EN: The 2-0 TigerScots are riding high after last week’s win at Umatilla. The Pirates will be playing their fi rst game of the season after two weeks of scrim- mages. The Friday, March 19, game begins at 3:30 p.m. in Athena. IMBLER AT PILOT ROCK: The March 18 Old Oregon League matchup features the Panthers (1-0), who are coming off a 48-20 win over Cove last week, and the Rockets, who have been tested by two of the best teams in the state to open the season — Dufur and 2019 state cham- pion Adrian. IRRIGON AT MCLOUGH LI N: T he Knights will play their fi rst game on March 19, after two weeks of scrimmages. The Pioneers are reel- ing from a 44-7 loss to Grant Union last week. DUFUR AT IONE/ ARLINGTON: The Cardi- nals (0-1) are back in action on March 19 after having last week’s game with Union canceled because of a COVID outbreak among the Bobcats. The Rangers (2-0), led by defensive tackle/tight end Trey Darden (6-5, 245), are coming off a 40-18 win over Crane. Darden has signed to play at Eastern Oregon University. SOUTH WA S C O COUNTY AT ECHO: The six-man contest features the high-scoring Redsides (117 points scored in two games) against the host Cougars (0-2), who fell short against Mitch- ell/Spray/Wheeler last week. Dom Curiel threw for 346 yards and five touchdowns last week in Echo’s 60-51 loss. Javon Curiel caught fi ve passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Sam Wyse had 9.5 tackles, while Mason Murdock had nine tackles and a sack, and Kenneth Troxel eight tackles. Redsides linebacker Garrett Olson (6-3, 210), who was selected the off ensive and defensive player of the year in the Big Sky Conference last year, has signed to play at Western Oregon University. 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 Stanfi eld/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. Stanfi eld 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 Hermston defenders bring down a Walla Walla ball carrier on Friday, March 12, 2021. The Dawgs lost the game 48-0. Dawgs: Continued from Page A8 of the season, albeit with a broken thumb on his left hand. 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