Appearing in the semifinals for the first time since 2017, the Dufur/South Wasco County High Rangers had an excellent opportunity to reach the OSAA Class 2A/1A baseball state championship game for the first time ever.
The Special District 7 Champion and No. 4-ranked Rangers (24-3) led 3-2 over the Special District 4 Champion No. 1 ranked Umpqua Valley Christian High Monarchs (25-5) in the ninth inning. The Rangers were hoping to extend the contest into the 10th to give themselves a chance to win.
For the second time in two weeks, the Dufur High Rangers had the unenviable task of playing the No. 1 ranked Adrian High Antelopes in Class 1A eight-man football. Neither game was kind to the Rangers.
The Dufur Rangers had their quest for five straight state championships come to an end last week in Crane, but the team celebrated a list of six players who were named to the 1A Special District 3 all-league list.
Overall, there were six different players picking up honors, led by Trey Darden, Cooper Bales, Kaleb Pence, Josiah Dave, Caleb Olson, Jacob Jones and Isaac Anthony.
Cooper Bales connected with Caleb Olson on a 63-yard touchdown pass with 11:19 left in the game and the Dufur defense clamped down on Union’s final two possessions in a 34-30 victory in Special District 3-West football action last Friday in Union.
Although the Dufur Rangers are 0-4 to start the season, the young team of 14 underclassmen have shown some positive glimpses of a bright future. From here on out, the goal is to develop consistency on both offense and defense.
