Rangers 24, Cougars 22

But the host Cougars (0-2) very nearly pulled the game out by running back the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, only to have the go-ahead score by Ty Freemantle negated by a block-in-the-back penalty on the return.

After the close call, the Rangers (3-0) sealed the victory with an interception by Nick Anderson with six seconds to go.

Dufur, which made the most of favorable first-half field position, built a 12-0 halftime advantage with a touchdown in the first quarter and another in the second.

Still, LKW went to its locker room at the half secure in the knowledge that, despite being down by two touchdowns, it was not out of the game by any stretch.

“We made some adjustments at halftime and talked about what would work,” Cougars Coach Don Smith said, “and came out in the second half knowing we were still in the game.

The third quarter belonged to LKW as Henry Matai (11 carries, 86 yards) returned the second-half kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and later scored on a reverse to pull the Cougars within 18-16.

Dufur was on the move again early in the fourth when Jeromie Mason intercepted a Dufur pass to set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Matai with 10:32 left in the contest that put LKW on top, 22-18.

However, after succeeding on their first two 2-point conversions, the Cougars failed on their third. The miss, in the final issue, would make a difference in the outcome.

Coming Up: The Cougars host a non-league game against Powder Valley, Ore., tomorrow night. Kickoff is set for 7 o’clock in Lyle.