The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Outlaws made too many mistakes to pull out a victory at Newport against the Cubs on Friday, October 4, and lost the contest 14-6.

It was a hard-fought defensive battle that was scoreless well into the second quarter. Just as the Outlaws seemed to gain some offensive footing, Newport forced a fumble near the midfield and returned it for a score, followed by the PAT.

Newport drove the ball deep into Sisters’ territory when a host of Outlaws blocked a field-goal attempt, and Taylor Fendall returned it 80 yards to the Cubs six-yard line with nine seconds left and no timeouts. Sisters threw twice, hoping to capitalize on a mismatch. It didn’t happen, and the Outlaws were held scoreless as teams heading into the half with the Cubs on top 7-0.

Sisters drove down the field to open the second half, but stalled at Newport’s 16-yard line. The Cubs took possession, but once again the Outlaws’ defense held and Sisters got the ball at midfield. Ethan Martin did most of the damage on the drive, capping it off with a three-yard TD run with 1:08 left in the third quarter. The PAT failed and at the close of the quarter Sisters trailed the Cubs by one, 7-6.

The Outlaws held the momentum as teams entered the final period and stifled the Cubs’ offense. Sisters looked ready to drive and take the lead, but the first snap resulted in a fumble, which was recovered by the Cubs at Sisters’ 30-yard line with 8:38 left on the clock.

Sisters’ defense brought up a fourth-and-20 from the 25-yard line, but a lone receiver found his way behind three Outlaws’ defenders for a TD to make the score 14-6 after the Cubs converted on their extra point attempt.

With 5:26 left in the game, the Outlaws had one more chance, but they were not able to gain traction, and turned the ball over on downs. The Cubs took a knee three times to run down the clock and record the win.

Ethan Martin, who ran like a beast, especially in the second half, said, “After that fumble in the first half, I was like, I’d better kick some ... and run harder in the second half and really push it, and I did.”

Martin finished the night with 64 yards rushing and one touchdown. Liam Allesio tallied eight tackles (five solo) and one pass deflection, Joe Scholl recorded six tackles (one solo). Anthony Randolph was in the backfield the entire night and posted five tackles (three solo) and one tackle for loss.

The Outlaws will match up at home against the Cascade Cougars on Friday, October 11.