DUFUR — The sixth-ranked Dufur High Rangers captured a seventh straight win 54-12 over the Perrydale High Pirates in Class 1A Special District 3 (SD3) eight-man football Oct. 25 in Dufur.
It marked the 300th victory in the 39-year career of Coach Jack Henderson.
“It was a fun week, and it was good to be on TV, too, and it was a good experience for our kids,” said Henderson, who was featured in an Oct. 25 Fox 12 television sports segment.
Dufur seniors Foster Harvey and Scott Graham, and sophomore Gavin Anderson were also on the sports segment with Henderson.
“It just feels like I’ve been fortunate to work with great families and great kids for a very long time,” said Henderson, who is the seventh coach in Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) history to win 300 games. “Some days it feels like I haven’t been coaching that long. Then considering the historical aspect of it, obviously I have been at it a long time.”
The Rangers won the SD3 title, their first since 2018.
“Going into the season, I thought we would turn things around from last year (2-7 record),” Henderson said. “I’m really proud of this group of kids in terms of how much we’ve improved from the beginning of the season.”
The Rangers built a 40-6 lead at the end of the first quarter to take control of the game early versus the Pirates (1-3 SD3, 4-3 overall). Dufur senior running back Nolan Cates (12 carries, 184 yards rushing) scored on first quarter touchdowns runs of 53, 45 and 21 yards to help lead the potent Rangers offense (52 points per game average). Sophomore quarterback Anderson (3-for-7, 51-yards passing, seven carries, 89-yards rushing) scored on a 21-yard touchdown run. Sonny Wilson scored a touchdown on an interception return to help the Rangers build the first-quarter advantage.
The Rangers, who play Friday at 7 p.m. at Pilot Rock, have qualified for a first-round home game in the 12-team, 1A eight-man playoffs beginning Nov. 8.
Sherman wins second straight
The Sherman/Condon High Huskies notched their second straight win in Class 1A Special District 3 eight-man football, 72-30, over Country Christian on Oct. 25 in Moro. The Huskies, guided by fifth-year Coach Kyle Blagg, clinched a playoff spot in the 12-team state playoffs.
“We were really sharp offensively, but we made some mistakes that negated a few big plays, but we executed fairly well overall on offense,” said Blagg.
The No. 12-ranked Huskies (3-1 SD3, 4-4 overall) recorded a season-high point total in the lopsided win. The Huskies will meet the No. 10-ranked Lyle/Wishram High Cougars (3-1 SD3, 4-4 overall) in a 7 p.m. contest Friday in Moro. The winner will likely earn a first-round home game in the state playoffs.
Lyle beats Pilot Rock
The Cougars clinched their first-ever OSAA state playoff football berth with a 66-18 home win Oct. 25 over Pilot Rock. The Cougars, guided by fifth-year Coach Dave Devoe, have qualified for a first- round playoff game, tentatively scheduled for either Nov. 8 or 9.
“We have a huge game with Sherman on Friday,” said Devoe. “We’re going to have to work pretty hard to beat them, because they’re a very good team.”
“[Against Pilot Rock] we started out kind of slow, primarily because we probably felt a little overconfident. They [Rockets] were moving the ball and playing well in the first quarter, and then we responded and made some adjustments to take control of the contest.”
The Cougars trailed early, tied the game 8-8 and built a 24-18 halftime lead. Led by sophomores Tayler Smith (seven tackles) and defensive tackle Elijah Cooper (six sacks), the Cougars held the Rockets scoreless in the second half. Smith scored a touchdown on a 75-yard interception return.
Junior running back Carson Ramsay (16 carries, 178 yards rushing, three TDs), Jack Thiemann (two catches, 59 yards receiving, two TDs) and quarterback Mason Ramsay (5-for-9, 150 yards passing, two TDs and two rushing TDs) led the offense.

Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.