Dufur, Sherman finish regular season with wins

The Rangers, guided by Coach Jack Henderson, notched an eighth straight victory, 34-0 over the Pilot Rock High Rockets (1-4 SD3, 1-8 overall) on Nov. 1 at Pilot Rock High School. The Rangers took control of the game early, scoring 28 first quarter points. Senior running back Nolan Cates (eight carries, 173 yards rushing) scored on first quarter touchdown runs of 67, 22 and 19 yards to help spearhead the Rangers’ ground game of 274 yards rushing.

“We have some momentum, which is a good thing going into the playoffs,” said Henderson.

Dufur freshman running back Chase Richards scored on a first quarter 35-yard touchdown run. Dufur sophomore quarterback Gavin Anderson scored on a five-yard second quarter touchdown to help contribute offensively as the Rangers built a 34-0 halftime lead.

“The game went well, everyone had a lot of playing time, including lots of our younger kids and nobody got hurt, so that was a great thing,” said Henderson. “It’s the best time of the year with the playoffs; the stakes are a lot higher now and there’s a lot more attention being focused on the games and they’re just a lot more fun.”

Sherman beats Lyle

The Huskies (4-1 SD3, 5-4 overall) won 46-26 over the Lyle/Wishram High Cougars (3-2 SD3, 4-5 overall) to get second place in the six-team, OSAA Class 1A Special District 3 standings.

The No. 10-ranked Huskies, guided by fifth-year Coach Kyle Blagg, came from behind to get the win after trailing 26-24 in the third quarter.

“It’s exciting for us to get second place in the league and now we’re going to the playoffs, which is pretty cool,” said Blagg. “After we fell behind in the second half, the boys kind of buckled down and they played every play like it was the last one of the game. We kind of took over the game physically at that point.”

The victory sends the Huskies into a first round, road matchup Friday at 7 p.m. versus the No. 7 ranked Mohawk High Mustangs (6-3) in Marcola (near Eugene).

The No. 13-ranked Cougars qualified for the OSAA playoffs for the first time ever and they’ll face the No. 5-ranked Union High Bobcats (6-2) Friday at Union High School.

In six-man football, the No. 5-ranked South Wasco County High Redsides (6-3) will host the Days Creek High Wolves (4-4) in a 1 p.m. first round matchup Saturday in the 12-team state playoffs.