Sandy overwhelms HRV in football, 36-12

HOOD RIVER — Big play Sandy High used its team speed, big play ability, a physical interior line and took advantage of mistakes to beat host Hood River Valley, 36-12, on Oct. 2 at Henderson Stadium.

Sandy (2-3) was a Class 6A state playoff team a season ago and the Pioneers served notice that they will be a contender at the 5A level this fall — the very least in Special District 1 play. Sandy took a 28-0 lead at halftime behind touchdowns of 68, 39, 54 and 11 yards.

Hood River (2-3) settled down after the lopsided, 22-0, first-quarter deficit and scored twice in the second half to make things respectable in the district opener for both teams. Kase Sietstra scored on a three-yard run late in the third period and Ian Wells connected with Davin Snyder on a 12-yard TD pass in the final period.

HRV Coach Caleb Sperry said: “I thought we did a good job of coming back out (after halftime) and not quitting. I thought that our kids bought in to going out and seeing what they could salvage out of the second half. Proud of that.”

Sandy’s senior speedsters, Hudson Pearson and Grayson Fitch, were a step ahead of HRV all evening. Pearson is a sub 11-second 100-meter sprinter during track and field season. He scored two receiving touchdowns for the Pioneers. Fitch, who is just a step behind his teammate on the track, was inserted at quarterback in a wildcat look on offense to take advantage of his speed. He scored three times: on the first play from scrimmage from 68 yards away; on a 39-yard pass from Miciah Turner; and on a 47-yard run in the second half.

Sperry said: “They did a good job of putting those guys in position to take advantage of their skill set, which is their speed. Once those guys get to that second level, they’re hard to stop. Kudos to them to figure out how to get them the ball in those situations.

Hood River was hurt by untimely penalties (seven), some dropped passes on offense, missed blocking assignments and coverage on defense. Sandy controlled the line of scrimmage much of the game, enabling the Pioneers to outgain HRV 363 to 223. Sandy was efficient offensively, having run 20 less plays from scrimmage than the Eagles.

“It feels like, execution-wise, we’re just an assignment here, an assignment there from a completely different result,” Sperry said, looking ahead to the Eagles’ Oct. 9 home (homecoming) game against Gresham. “It’s just part of the process. One little thing can throw everything else off.

“We have to be intentional about our assignments and our finish. We’ll get back at it this week.”