Sharing the gridiron for one final thrill

Saturday, Stutzman, a recent Sherman graduate, had one final chance to strap on his No. 33 uniform to represent a community he gave his blood, sweat and tears for.

Stutzman and the East All-Stars stormed back from an 18-0 halftime deficit to defeat the West team by a 36-24 margin at Community Stadium in La Grande.

“It was completely breathtaking to be given another opportunity to get back on the field,” Stutzman said. “I am definitely glad that I got that chance because we all felt like we would not be able to do that again. Playing with that group of guys was a completely amazing experience. Everyone represented their areas and schools well.”

Adrian’s Bryson Shira scored twice, and Perrydale’s Keenan Bailey scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns, one from 13 yards out and he added a pair of 23-yard scampers, the final touchdown coming with 35 seconds left in regulation to seal the comeback.

The win was the second straight for the East squad to put them ahead in the overall head-to-head matchup, 14-13.

“The way that game went, it was an amazing game to play in,” Stutzman added. “Coming back from 18-0 at halftime to win was just surreal. There is no better game to go out on than something like that.”

Joining Stutzman, Shira and Bailey on the East team were Dufur standouts Alec Smith and Zach Christiansen and reigning 1A Coach of the Year, Jack Henderson.

Coming off a state championship campaign, Henderson said he enjoyed being a part of the festivities, working with many graduated seniors that he went up against over the course of four years.

“It’s always a pleasure to represent Dufur at the state level and work one more time with Dufur athletes that have meant so much to our program, as well as the student athletes from other schools,” Henderson said. “I’ve been blessed to coach in this game a number of times and this group was as good as any a group I have worked with in the past. We had several academic award winners and talented athletes throughout the roster.”

Dufur finished 11-2 on the year and had to battle through injuries midway through the season and found a good rhythm when the stakes were raised.

Playing in those big moments, under the pressure of close games, teaching and molding his athletes, the road trips and sharing the agony of defeat and thrill of victory are snapshots he holds close to his heart.

He had one more week with Smith and Christiansen, so he savored that time with them.

“Alec and Zach meant a lot to the Ranger football program through their career and they represented the Ranger football program very well throughout the All-Star week,” Henderson said. “Both of their contributions to the Ranger football program were instrumental in our success over the last several years.”

All season, the Dufur defense ranked at or near the top of the 1A class in scoring, as they held opposing offenses to a touchdown or less seven times in 13 games.

On the offensive side, Christiansen and Smith opened holes and gave their Player of the Year quarterback Bailey Keever time in the pocket to make plays.

“Zach did a great job throughout his high school career. He was highly-motivated and hard-nosed and worked diligently to maximize his potential,” Henderson said. “Alec was instrumental in our offensive success. He had a great understanding of the game and was like a coach on the field. They reached the height of the game winning the state championship last fall.”

For four years as a Sherman Husky, Stutzman has been a major figure in the trenches or running the ball against Smith, Henderson and Christiansen, so to join forces with that trio for one final matchup was a surreal experience.

Sherman and Dufur, were always battling it out for first place in the Big Sky Conference, Dufur taking three of the past four games.

In his last season, Stutzman and the Huskies were able to get on the winning track with a 32-30 win last October in Dufur.

“It was very interesting because there had been that rivalry in-between. As much as you may have gotten angry with them over the last four years, I was real glad that they were on my team,” Stutzman said. “The boys did amazing and Coach Henderson was awesome. It was fun to work with them on a different level.”

Stutzman, who had a weighted grade point average of 4.23, will spend the rest of the summer at home, but his future plans are focused on education at Oregon State University where he will major in mechanical engineering.

His goal is to make a difference, so choosing that course of study gives him an opportunity to work with like-minded individuals, whose focus is on the betterment of technological advancement.

“All through high school, my focus has been geared towards robotics,” Stutzman said. “I would love to keep going towards that kind of field, maybe working for NASA or something that is pushing the boundaries of robotics and technology. If not that then, working for a company like that or working for my own company that is geared towards pushing those limits and trying to come up with the next generation of technology.”

Stutzman played football at a high level, and was on the diamond for baseball as an all-league catcher and outfielder.

At every game cheering for him were his parents, Jess and Kirky.

That moment he walks out the door later this summer, it will be emotional, but over the course of this 18-year journey, he will be equipped to handle the rigors of the real world.

“My parents have pushed me and helped me every step of the way,” Wyatt said. “They have always been supportive no matter what has happened, the good, the bad and the ugly, all of that stuff. I couldn’t have asked for two better parents. It is going to be bittersweet. I will not have as much help as I would like after that, but I am an adult, so I am glad to be able to take that first step out and start living my own life.”