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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 27, 2017)
A10 Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, September 27, 2017 WEDNESDAY September 27, 2017 THINK PINK Grant Union’s fi rst league matches support breast cancer causes The Eagle/Angel Carpenter From left, Prairie City cheerleaders Megan Camarena, Shaelynn Bice, Caitlin Willet and Aries Bice perform. Not pictured is Paige Moore. Panther cheerleaders raise school spirit Grant Union hosts Union Friday at 4 p.m. By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle “D ig Pink was a successful, emotional day,” said Grant Union Prospector head coach Shae Speth. The Prospectors hosted the Enterprise Outlaws and Elgin Huskies for their fi rst league matches, which had more meaning than the aver- age volleyball competition. Grant Union’s gym was fl ooded with pink for the ninth annual event, from the balloon displays and specta- tor T-shirts to the team uni- forms, in honor of breast can- cer awareness. “We chose to make this year’s event much more per- sonal by honoring and recog- nizing those who are fi ghting breast cancer, and those who have battled and won, and battled and lost, along with their families,” Speth said. “It was a very touching ded- ication.” Several women who’ve been personally touched by breast cancer received fl owers. “I think this is a great fundraiser that we’ve done over the years,” said Prospec- tor Reagan Shelley. “It’s fun to see everyone come togeth- er and play for a great cause.” Prospector Mariah Moul- ton agreed the event is fun. See PINK, Page A18 Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter Grant Union Prospector Trinity Hutchison (5) protects at the net, facing Enterprise Outlaw Gracie Niezen (13) at Saturday’s Dig Pink Rally at Grant Union in John Day. The Prairie City Pan- ther cheerleaders kept busy during last week’s home- coming festivities. This year’s group of fi ve girls and head coach Jill Wright planned their school pep assembly down to the fi nest details. Wright said this year’s team does more than cheer from the sidelines at the football games. “We have a group of girls that are able to stunt,” she said. “They’re dedicat- ed, and we have goals set.” Another part of the cheering section is Penelo- pe Panther, the school mas- cot, who helps ignite the crowd. Last week, all fi ve girls and the mascot cheered on younger students who par- ticipated in the school’s jog-a-thon fundraiser. During the week, the team works at learning their cheers and stunts, and all, including Penelope, are also members of the Prairie City volleyball team. They practice cheer before school, then have volleyball practice after school. “It’s overwhelming sometimes, but it’s defi - nitely worth it,” said senior Megan Camarena. She said she’s happy the team has more girls this year. “It’s also the fi rst all-girl squad that does stunts,” she added. “I think it’s fun seeing people’s reactions, seeing how many cheerleaders we have bringing spirit to the school,” said sophomore Shaelynn Bice. “We work together like a family,” said freshman Aries Bice. “It’s just really fun to support the team.” Junior Paige Moore and freshman Caitlin Willet agreed that cheerleading is fun. “We’re really close, and it’s a blast,” Moore said. Cheering on the Grant Union Prospector volleyball team at the Dig Pink rally are eighth- graders Casey Vaughan and Parker Neault. Grant Union Prospector Hailie Wright sets the ball, her teammates Trinity Hutchison, center, and Reagan Shelley at the ready. The Grant Union Prospectors huddle during the Dig Pink games. Hornets swarm at Panthers’ homecoming Prairie City builds for future seasons The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Grant Union Prospectors Mason Gerry (15) and Cameron Hallgarth (28) zero in on a Burns ball carrier in Friday night’s game. Hilanders topple Prospectors for 32-28 win By Angel Carpenter By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Blue Mountain Eagle Friday was homecoming for the Prairie City Panthers, but the Harper Hornets stole the show with a 60-6 win. Senior Danner Davis scored Prairie City’s sole touchdown in the fourth quar- ter. Prairie City freshman quarterback Jayden Winegar connected with him for 10 yards, and Davis ran another 25 to the end zone. “That was Danner’s last home game, so that was pretty cool to have him score,” said Prairie City head coach Nate Barber. “Jayden’s got a good head and has good football IQ.” Davis also recovered a Harper fumble in the fi nal two minutes of the game. Harper quarterback Mor- gan Butler and running back Dalton Bixby seemed to fi nd the Panthers’ weak spots for many of the Hornets’ success- ful plays. In the second half, the score 54-0, Prairie City played with greater intensity. Prairie City freshman De- clan Zweygardt recovered a Harper fumble in the third. On the Panthers’ next drive, Zweygardt caught Win- egar’s pass for a fi rst down, but the Hornets made the stops and took over on downs The 2A Grant Union Prospectors and 3A Burns Hilanders each had their ups and downs Friday night at Three Flags Field in John Day, but the Hilanders won the night 32-28. Fans of both schools packed the stands, cheering loudly for their teams. After a scoreless fi rst quarter, Burns was fi rst to add points to the board. Grant Union’s Wade Re- imers scored with a quarter- back keeper, and Burns led 8-6 at halftime. Things started looking good for the Prospectors when they recovered a Hi- lander fumble in the third. Reimers kept the ball for two runs in the red zone, scoring a touchdown and the conversion points to up Grant Union’s score to 14-8. Burns running back Cade Maupin answered back to tie it, and the Hilanders scored the two-point conversion. With another keeper from Reimers, Grant Union led 20-16. After Prospector line- backer Cauy Weaver re- covered a Burns fumble, Reimers connected with receiver Duane Stokes for a big gain, but a penalty later pulled Grant Union back, Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter Prairie City Panther Connor Jones (20), far right, makes the carry in Friday’s game against Harper. Prairie City Panther Jake McHatton tackles a Harper ball carrier in Friday’s game. at their 35-yard line. Early in the fourth, Pan- ther sophomore Connor Jones combined with Davis to sack Butler. Panther Jojari Field, a freshman, followed up with a tackle in the backfi eld and another tackle at the line of scrimmage. Jones made a fourth-down tackle, causing a turnover. From there, Prairie City made offensive gains, which led to Davis’ touchdown. “We have moments of greatness, but they just have to be consistent on every play,” Barber said of his team. “Every play has to be that in- tense.” He added, “We caught the ball for the most part.” Commenting on defense in the second half, he said, “We changed some stuff up on the end and got more attitude.” Barber said he’s pleased with the freshmen team mem- bers. “I want to give the young guys more experience, so we’re going to be building for every game for seasons down the road,” he said. “These freshmen are step- ping up.” The Panthers now prepare to face Huntington on the road at 1 p.m. Friday. “Getting ready, we’re going to be working on our blocking,” Barber said. and Burns took possession going into the fourth. Burns again tied the score, this time with a touchdown from receiver Zane Taylor. The Hilanders also made the two-point conversion for the lead. Stokes caught a touch- down pass, and Weaver made the grab in the end zone for the two-point con- version to take the lead right back. Grant Union was 28-24 with 9:03 left in the game. The tables turned once again as Burns managed another touchdown, also scoring the two-point con- version. Grant Union head coach Jason Miller said team will be looking at the missed opportunities in the night’s game, and will work to im- prove blocking and tackling. “The guys fought hard. We just didn’t take advan- tage of chances we had,” Miller said. “Burns is the better team today.” The Prospectors have this week off and return to action at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, with a road game against the nonleague Culver Bull- dogs. Grant Union’s fi rst league game will be 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, against the Imbler Panthers.