A year ago, none of the area Class 1A eight-man football teams qualified for the OSAA state playoffs — a rare occurrence. The last time the playoffs didn’t include either the Sherman/Condon High Huskies or the Dufur High Rangers was in 1987.
The Huskies, Rangers and the Lyle/Wishram/Klickitat High Cougars each had identical records with a 2-4 Special District 3 marks (2-7 overall) last year. The three teams started practice Aug. 19, with expectations of improved performances in 2024.
The seven-team SD3 is much different this year, as St. Paul and Enterprise moved up to Class 2A. The Country Christian High Cougars of Molalla joined the league as a new member, as the school resumed its football program for the first time since 2010. The Cougars will play their home games at Estacada High School.
The Ukiah High Cougars and the Pilot Rock High Rockets had a combined SD3 co-op team last year and they posted an 0-6 league mark and 2-7 overall. Both schools have their own separate squads this season. The Perrydale High Pirates (4-2 SD3, 8-3 overall in 2023) reached the 2023 quarterfinals, but lost seven graduated seniors.
Locally, Dufur’s streak of 13 consecutive playoff berths ended last year. A six-game losing streak at the beginning of the season proved to be Dufur’s downfall. Dufur’s streak consisted of state playoff berths from 2010-2022 under longtime (39 years) Coach Jack Henderson.
The Rangers lost six seniors from last year’s squad. Dufur has 15 players on their 19-man roster returning from last year who are experienced and focused on having a successful season.
“It’s always tough to lose seniors, but the kids that we have this year have worked very hard in the offseason and I feel like we’re going to be a much-improved team this year,” said Henderson. “We have some talented kids, and we’ll have a lot more depth at the running back position this year. One thing that will change is that we will get back to the playoffs this year for sure.”
The Rangers will have leadership provided by six seniors, including quarterback Jacob Kent, center/defensive end Foster Harvey, and running back/defensive back Scott Graham. Kent resumed his football career after a two-year absence because of health issues. Sophomore quarterback Gavin Anderson will also be one of the Rangers’ key players, Henderson said.
“I’m sure glad to have Jacob back on the team now,” the coach said.
The Rangers open their nine-game schedule with a 7:30 p.m. nonleague contest Friday versus the Crosspoint Christian High Warriors (3-5 in 2023) in the Eight-Man Classic at Dufur High School.
Sherman County
The Huskies had hopes of reaching the 2023 playoffs after making it to the postseason in 2022 for the first time in five years. The Huskies had a rough start to their season a year ago, losing five of their first six contests. The highlight for the Huskies was a Sept. 15, 2023, 26-20, home win over Dufur.
The Huskies, guided by fifth-year Coach Kyle Blagg, lost eight graduated seniors from a year ago. A 22-member squad is led by a senior group, including Michael Blagg, Gabe Fritts, Blake Carnine, Isaiah Riggs, Josh Ward, Jayden Havins and Brodie Bass. The Huskies’ roster includes seven players who are Condon High School student athletes.
“Some of the guys we lost to graduation were four-year starters and they were kind of like mainstays of our program,” said Coach Blagg. “We’re really looking for our eight seniors to step up and take over leadership roles and lead by example by doing all the right things. We’re looking at doing a few different things on offense this year.”
Sherman plays its season opener Friday at Dufur in the Eight-Man Classic against Cove.
“I think if our coaching staff (along with assistants Joe Colby, Gary Lewis, Steve Bird) does what we need to do, and if the kids step up their level of play, it’s our goal to compete for the league title and hopefully make it to the playoffs,” Blagg said. “Our league is tough though with lots of good teams out there. You have to be pretty darn good to make the playoffs and I think we have the potential to do that.”
Lyle/Wishram/Klickitat
The Cougars lost five seniors from last year’s squad but they have a solid group of returning players who are hoping to help the team reach the OSAA playoffs for the first time ever.
This marks the Cougars’ fourth season in OSAA Class 1A eight-man football. The Cougars, guided by third-year head Coach Dave Devoe, have a 22-member squad led by junior quarterback Jack Thiemann, junior tailback/linebacker Carson Ramsay, and sophomore defensive back/quarterback Mason Ramsay.
“Most of the guys have been lifting weights all summer and they’ve been chomping at the bit to get out there on the football field,” said Devoe. “I’m always cautiously optimistic about our team, but I like our chances this year. The kids are all a little older, they’re a little stronger and they’re all a little smarter, too. I think we’re going to be more competitive in our league this year. Last year, we had some really good players at some of the skill positions, but we were really young in some other places. We have a more experienced team now and our goal is to reach the playoffs.”
The Cougars begin their nine-game schedule with a 1 p.m. nonleague matchup versus the Powder Valley High Badgers (1-8 in 2023) in the Dufur Eight-Man Classic.
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