Lyle gridders survive tough schedule for state berth

LYLE — The Lyle/Wishram/Klickitat High Cougars capped their most successful season ever in OSAA Class 1A eight-man football by reaching the first round of the 12-team state playoffs.

Competing in the toughest league in the state — with four top-10 teams — the No. 9-ranked Cougars took fourth place in the six-team Special District 3 (SD3) standings with a 3-3 record (5-5 overall). None of the other three leagues in the 24-team Class 1A level had four top 10-ranked teams; all four qualified for playoffs.

The Cougars, who reached the playoffs for a second consecutive season, played six of their 10 games versus top-10 ranked teams. Their five wins represented their best season since joining the OSAA in 2021. (Two of the team’s losses were vs. top-ranked and unbeaten Dufur.)

The Cougars, guided by fourth-year Coach Dave Devoe, faced the No. 7-ranked North Douglas High Warriors (8-3) in a Nov. 7 first round road game at Sutherlin High School (near Roseburg). In the rematch of a Sept. 12 road contest (a 42-32 Cougar win), the Warriors were able to pull out a 36-30 victory.

“The playoffs are a different environment,” said Devoe. “It was really close, and it was kind of a heartbreaking loss. We knew that they [Warriors] would be tough, but we knew that we had a shot at winning. We just made a couple of mistakes, and they capitalized on it.”

The Cougars’ talented brothers Mason and Carson Ramsay, and senior receiver Jack Thiemann (two catches, 86 yards receiving, touchdown) led the offense. Carson Ramsay, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound senior running back/linebacker, led the Cougars offense with 27 carries for 267 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Mason Ramsay, a 6-2, 175-pound junior quarterback, was 5-for-17 passing for 106 yards and one touchdown, and he had five carries for 51 yards rushing and a touchdown.

The playoffs marked the conclusion of their career for seniors Carson Ramsay, Shane Spino, Ezekiel Marble, Bear Lopez, Thiemann, Dwayne Heath, Lucas Knopf and Axel Sebedra.

“I’m going to miss the seniors tremendously, especially Carson and Jack,” said Devoe. “The 33 touchdowns that Carson scored was one of the best offensive performances that I’ve ever seen at Lyle High School. Carson should’ve won the player-of-the-year award.”

Mason Ramsay finished with more than 2,000 yards combined of receiving and rushing. He totaled 1,564 yards passing with 24 touchdowns and he had 417 yards rushing and two TDs. Carson Ramsay had 1,788 yards rushing and 24 TDs and he had 20 receptions for 371 yards and nine receiving TDs.

Carson Ramsay led the Cougar defense with 74 tackles. Junior Eli Cooper had 58 tackles and 12 sacks. Thiemann was also a member of the 1,000-yard club, including 47 receptions for 1,035 yards and 13 TDs.