THE DALLES — The Dalles High Riverhawks kept their hopes alive to reach the Class 4A football state playoffs with a Special District 2, 34-29, home win over Parkrose on Oct. 18.
The Riverhawks (1-2 SD2, 3-4 overall), guided by first-year Coach Nate Timmons, had an explosive start to the contest, as they built a 20-0 first-quarter advantage. Sophomore running back Austin Cummins scored on a 71-yard kickoff return, followed by a London Leitz point after touchdown kick, making it 7-0. The Dalles senior running back Julian Morehouse (36 carries, 220 yards rushing) scored on touchdown runs of nine and five yards to extend the margin.
“I’m super proud of the guys for getting the win,” said Timmons, whose team snapped a four-game losing streak. “They all played hard, and Parkrose made a comeback, but we were able to hold them off. You can never get too complacent, and you always have to keep your foot on the gas pedal to make sure you don’t let a team come back like that.”
The Broncos (0-2 SD2, 1-6 overall) scored a second quarter touchdown, making it 20-7 at halftime. The Broncos then scored another touchdown in the third quarter, making it 20-14. A 35-yard touchdown run by Morehouse, followed by a Leitz PAT, made it 27-14 after three quarters.
The Broncos again responded by scoring, making the score, 27-21. A Morehouse eight-yard touchdown run, followed by another Leitz PAT put the Riverhawks up 34-21. The Broncos answered with a late scoring drive for the final margin.
“Our entire offensive line of Connor Hajek, Jared Peko, Bryce Lindsey, Adrian Miramontes, Everest Lenardson, Josh Brackenberry and Gabe Hoff all did a great job of blocking for Julian, which was a big key to helping us get the win,” said Timmons.
The Riverhawks were led defensively by junior linebacker Reese Kinslow (three tackles), junior defensive lineman Hunter Bustos (two tackles, sack), sophomore defensive back Creighton Clack (two tackles) and senior linebacker Trace Larson (two tackles). Brackenberry, a junior linebacker, had one tackle, six assisted tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.
A key highlight on special teams was Leitz kicking a touchback on a kickoff following a Riverhawk touchdown. Leitz, a junior punter/placekicker, has missed a few games this season due to an injury.
“It was really nice having London returning to play after he recovered from an injury,” said Timmons. “That was one of his goals this year to kick the ball into the end zone on a kickoff and he did that.”
It marked the fourth straight year that The Dalles beat Parkrose. In order to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Riverhawks are in a must-win situation. They have to win their final league contest Friday at Molalla (2-0 SD2, 3-4 overall).
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