The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Outlaws pre-season investment in a new offense paid big dividends for them in their first league game of the season at home against Sweet Home on Friday, September 27. Sisters crushed the visiting Huskies 32-8.

Sisters’ offense was firing on all cylinders, and quarterback Taylor Fendall seemed to make the correct read on every option play as they diced the Huskies for over 300 yards on the ground. As soon as the Huskies would draw their attention inside on the Outlaws, Fendall would gash them for 20 yards on the outside. Even the host of penalties couldn’t stop the Outlaws power through and get the win.

Sisters held the Huskies on their first possession, and then took the ball and drove down the field. The drive was capped off by a Fendall 20-yard TD run as the Huskies’ defenders collapsed on Ethan Martin in the middle. The Outlaws made a another stop, took over possession and again pushed up the field. Eli Gurney’s 52- yard TD run was aided by two beautiful blocks on the perimeter by Gator Haken and Garrett Kersavage, and at the end of the first quarter Sisters held a 13-0 lead.

The Outlaws punted, and the ball was fielded by Sweet Home on their 15, but Gurney forced a fumble and recovered it on the Huskies 20. On fourth-and-10, the Outlaws decided to go for it, and it worked to perfection. Fendall hit Haken in stride for a 17-yard TD pass. Sweet Home also scored on a long TD in the second quarter and made the two-point conversion, but at the half Sisters still had the lead at 19-8.

The second half started with a stalled drive due to a multitude of penalties and mistakes, but the Outlaws defense was stellar, and was capped by an interception by Nate Weber that led to a 23-yard TD run by Fendall.

In the fourth quarter, Sisters took time off the clock with incredible runs by Hunter Spor and Ethan Martin that led to another Outlaw score as Martin powered his way for a two-yard TD run, which extended the lead to 32-8, which held until the final buzzer.

The offensive line of Anthony Randolph, Brayden Way, Hudson Jones, Damien King, and Dillon King paved the way for an overwhelming ground attack. The Outlaws defense swarmed like bees the entire night and provided pressure that forced errant throws, and even when the throws were on target, Kersavage was there with a deflection or Weber was there to intercept the pass, and that combo stifled the Huskies’ attack all night.

The Outlaws racked up some pretty impressive stats. Fendall had 173 yards rushing, two TDs, and one TD passing. Spor finished with 114 yards rushing and an interception on defense. Gurney had 52 yards rushing, one TD, one quarterback sack, one forced fumble, and one recovered fumble. Martin posted 45 yards rushing, Weber recorded two interceptions, and Kersavage deflected three passes.

Gurney and Fendall both commented on the game.

Gurney gave credit for his 52-yard TD run to his blockers.

“Gator (Haken) had a beautiful block that allowed me to go wherever I wanted, and the O-line let me get to the outside and then I ran as hard as I could,” said Gurney.

Fendall said, “It clicked tonight! We had all of our blocking up front, and everything just fell into place. It was perfect!”

Coach Neil Fendall said, “The triple-option came together and the boys executed. A friend this last week reminded me we’ve only been at this three weeks, and he told me to be patient and it would come, and man did it come tonight! The offensive line got a lot of push tonight and that really was the difference. The ball-carriers looked great, but our O-line was impressive.”

The Outlaws seem poised to continue their dominating defense, coupled with their newfound offensive success, and will travel to Newport on Friday, October 4, with hopes to post another victory.