The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Outlaws traveled to Burns for their first game of the season and fell 24-6 to the Highlanders on Friday, September 6.

Sisters received the opening kickoff, but on the second play mishandled a pitch on their own 26 yard line and gave it to the Highlanders. Burns took it down to the five and it looked as if the Highlanders would score, but Garrett Vohs, in his first varsity game, intercepted a pass and prevented the score.

After a few possessions on both sides, Burns connected on a short pass for six, but the Outlaws stifled their two-point attempt. At the half Burns held a 6-0 lead.

Burns continued to march on the Outlaws through screen passes and multiple runners in the read-option attack and took a 13-0 lead early in the third quarter.

The Outlaws answer started with a 30-yard kick-off return by Hayden Sharp. Six different runners saw success in the drive and then on fourth-and-one, Cam Wessel, Damien King, and Liam Bole bulldozed a path for Hunter Spor, who had a great 10-yard run. Hayden Sharp weaved his way to a nine-yard TD run thanks to a key block from Eli Gurney to cap the drive and narrow the gap to 13-6.

Sisters gained momentum after another interception by Vohs, but a turnover ensued and seemed to dampen the Outlaws spirit. Burns capitalized with a long TD run, and at the end of the third quarter was on top 18-6. The Highlanders were able to march down the field for another score and win the game 24-6.

Coach Neil Fendall was very happy with the Outlaws’ third quarter drive and hopes to have more of the same in the future.

“Hopefully, we can build on that great drive,” said Fendall. “If we can have four or five of those a game that each eat up six or seven minutes, we’re going to be doing what we what to do,” said Fendall.

Despite the loss, there were some great highlights in the game where the Outlaws showed heart, determination, and a team unity that can dwindle in the midst of a tough loss.

Hayden Sharp had an outstanding performance. He was a terror on defense, very effective on offense, and a weapon punting the ball. Sharp finished the night with 13 tackles (11 solo), two pass deflections, 40-plus average on every punt, five carries for 38 yards and one TD rushing.

Sharp shared his feelings on his performance.

“I feel amazing and really great on how I played,” said Sharp. “We’re going to keep competing and we’re going to get better. I want to help bring the energy to the team a little more. Our energy kind of died down a bit in the second half, so I want to take my game and really help get the energy up.”

Fendall noted Sharp and his big contributions.

“I though Hayden was huge for us,” said Fendall. “He played really hard and made some great defensive plays. He’s got huge legs and he’s a big factor for us punting.”

Vohs had two great picks in the game, and Wyatt Maffey showed real promise as a sophomore with two pass deflections.

Maffey commented on his first varsity experience, and how he was able to get the pass deflections.

“I was happy to make varsity this year, and tonight was really great,” said Maffey. “I just did what the coaches told me. I watched their hips and reacted on the break.”

Fendall told The Nugget that the Outlaws did force some turnovers early that kept the score down, but ultimately they were outplayed for four quarters.

“I though they were better prepared, and better coached than us all four quarters,” said Fendall. “I thought our guys played hard, but didn’t play well in terms of technique and assignment, and that’s on coaching. We got out coached.

“Last week we had some great strides, but to be honest it felt like we stepped backwards, but when someone’s kicking your butt it feels like you’re not doing well. I think we got our butt kicked in some spots, and we’ve just got to figure out how we can hang in with guys who are more physical than us, or bigger, or faster than us.”

The Outlaws will play at home against Valley Catholic in a non-league match up on Friday, September 13. Kick off is set for 7 p.m.