Dufur Rangers clinch 1A playoff berth

THE GORGE — Top-ranked Dufur officially clinched a 1A eight-man state playoff berth with its 48-12 home win Oct. 16 vs. Pilot Rock.

The Rangers (8-0 overall, 5-0 league) have earned the No. 1 seed from Special District 3. Dufur plays its final regular season game Oct. 30 at Cove.

No. 1 Dufur, because of its lofty ranking, essentially clinched a state playoff berth two weeks ago. The top four ranked teams earn a first-round bye in the 12-team state playoffs which begin Nov. 7. Those four teams advance to the Nov. 14 quarterfinals.

In Class 1A six-man play, South Wasco County lost 56-7 to visiting Joseph on Oct. 17 to fall to 2-6 on the season. The Redsides were credited with a forfeit win (in a game originally slated for Oct. 24) over Wallowa, which has canceled its season, to finish 3-6.

Sherman County also lost last week, 59-26, to top-ranked Harper Charter. The Huskies (6-2) host Spray/Mitchell/Wheeler at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 with state playoff positioning on the line.

Sherman is in a three-way tie with Joseph and Dayville/Monument/Long Creek for second place behind Harper in Special District 1. Sherman has clinched one of 12 state playoff berths based on its No. 5 ranking heading into the final week of the regular season.

The six-man playoffs also begin Nov. 7.