DUFUR – On the football field, the Dufur Rangers absolutely dominated the Big Sky Conference with seven wins, one forfeit, and outscored opponents by a combined 330-82 margin to take league-championship honors.
The five seniors, Derek Frakes, Abraham Kilby, Russell Peters, Tanner Masterson and Cole Kortge, each chalked up first-team all-league recognition, with Peters and Kilby receiving their top selections on both sides of the ball.
Asa Farrell had his name called as a first-team winner on offense and defense, while adding a Player of the Year award, and long-time head coach Jack Henderson claimed Coach of the Year.
Henderson complimented the seniors and what they meant to the program over the past four years.
In addition to the five league winners, Marcus Brown, Tabor McLaughlin, Andrew Richman, Anthony Thomas, and this year, Lilly Ascencio, were just as important in providing leadership to a football team that has gone 49-3 over the last four years, including 33 in a row.
Henderson mentioned how the seniors were not overwhelmed by the big stage of the state championship or the fact that St. Paul was expected to pull off the win and knock Dufur off its pedestal.
“Those seniors were cool, calm and collected before the game, so it made a huge difference in the mindset of the team before the game,” Henderson said. “It is not about wins, or how big and strong they are or what anyone else is saying, so, there’s no intimidation factor at all. They just stayed above all that stuff. I think that was a huge advantage that we had and a big reason for the success that we have had for the last four years. I couldn’t be happier for a group of kids, the first group to win four in a row. And then winning 10 overall, it is just a special, special group and kids that I will love forever.”
Frakes, Kilby, Peters, Farrell, and Kaleb Pence were the first-team recipients for an offense 21 yards per pass and 7.7 yards per rush in 13 games.
The Ranger offense scored more than half of their 633 points in league action, and overall, committed 15 turnovers, nine fumbles, and had 32 plays over 40 yards.
“A great luxury that we have had here for the last few years is that we have so many weapons to use,” Henderson said. “We have so many interchangeable parts and speed at every position to execute anything we want offensively. It has been a good thing to have and I think it will continue for the next few years.”
Kortge caught 13 passes for 264 yards, 12 of those receptions going for first downs, with six touchdowns and eight conversion grabs. On running plays, the senior totaled 45 yards on five carries and had a season-long run of 32 yards.
“Cole completed a stellar career with us,” Henderson said. “Offensively, he continued to be a great receiver and was a clutch receiver for us, making plays in tough situations, including a touchdown reception just before the half versus St Paul.”
Standing at 6-foot-5-inches and tipping the scales at 220 pounds, Trey Darden parlayed his physical stature into several crushing blocks that allowed the offense to flow.
For his efforts on the offensive guard spot, the sophomore earned a second-team all-league award.
“In his first year as a starter, Trey improved weekly and was a force for us on the line,” Henderson said. “He has as much potential as any player we have ever had on the line. I believe he has a bright future ahead.”
Given the extra depth in the trenches, Dufur defensive coordinator C.S. Little had options to bring fresh bodies in to make plays for a squad that allowed two touchdowns or fewer in five of six league tilts.
Josiah Dave took full advantage with his second-team all-league bid as a sophomore with 18 tackles, three for loss, in seven total games at defensive tackle.
“Josiah was a great run stopper and saw a huge upside in his final two years for the Rangers,” Henderson said.
While Masterson, Kortge and Thomas were standouts in the Ranger secondary, their pending graduation leaves a hole on the back end.
Cooper Bales showed that he has the knack for making the big plays, so he can slide right in without missing a beat.
The sophomore, an honorable mention pick at safety, posted 34 tackles and had two passes defended and two fumble recoveries.
“Cooper is a student of the game and that is something we plan to use to our advantage for the rest of his career,” Henderson said. “I see some great things out of him. He is a quiet leader and someone who will bring the best out of his teammates. I know that he will put in the work to maximize his potential. His work ethic and dedication to the program will allow us to maintain the level of success that we’ve had here.”
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