Many fans considered Saturday’s Class 1A eight-man football matchup between Dufur and the Adrian/Jordan Valley Antelopes as the unofficial state championship game. Few would argue, as both were undefeated and considered the two best teams in the state.
When thinking of the male influences in his life, Dufur senior Curtis Crawford names off his teammates and coaches, his father, Rick Crawford, grandfather, Ron Townsend and family friend, Russ Pishion as crucial mainstays in his development. But, mama is No. 1. It is that stronghold and positive example that has given Curtis a will to expect the best from himself, as he approaches the next phase of life as a football player at George Fox University, where he is slated for duties as a receiving tight end at the Division III school.
DUFUR – Being part of a program that has won eight state championships, Cole Kortge knows what is at stake every time he and his Dufur Ranger teammates step on the gridiron. Saturday at Dufur High School, Kortge and the No. 2 Rangers led 26-0 at the half enroute to a 50-12 victory in a 1A state football quarterfinal matchup against No. 7 Adrian-Jordan Valley.
Local teams have final tests of regular season
DUFUR – With a pair of championship rings already in his back pocket, Dufur senior Hagen Pence is looking for one more dance with destiny. He warns, however, that the 2017 season and 1A football landscape has changed during the offseason and the proverbial target is even larger, so the back-to-back state champion Rangers cannot afford to look too far ahead.
DUFUR – A new year brings feelings of optimism and excitement for Dufur head cheerleading coach Kelsey Peterson.
DUFUR – Senior guards Bailey Keever and Connor Uhalde may pick up most of the headlines, but the Dufur Ranger post players Curtis Crawford, Kolbe Bales, Tabor McLaughlin and Travis Lucas have put in a workmanlike effort to help put this team within range of a Baker City berth. That quartet combined for 18 points and controlled the paint in a 63-38 victory over Country Christian Tuesday.
Over the years, many of the top players in the state have donned the Dufur Ranger colors, earning countless league and state honors, along with league crowns and state championships. Sydney Reed can now add her name to that esteemed group of former Dufur greats.
With the play of defensive linemen Ian Cleveland, Curtis Crawford and T.J. Kennedy, the Dufur Ranger defense has been in lockdown mode through final part of their schedule.
Dufur Ranger senior Sydney Reed was floored when she heard her named called over the loudspeaker as the Big Sky Conference’s co-Player of the Year.
