Outlaws snare Tigers in state playoff game

Like a stampede of wild horses, the Sisters Outlaws overwhelmed the Taft Tigers 40-6 in the second round of the state 3A football playoffs.

The Outlaws played before a standing-room-only crowd at Sisters High School Saturday afternoon, November 15.

The big win means the Outlaws are among the final eight teams left in the playoffs and sets them up for a quarterfinal engagement at Parker Stadium in Corvallis Friday night against Junction City.

The Junction City Tigers advanced with a 17-3 win over Vale.

Taft got an indication on the first series of the game of what they would see all afternoon from the dominating Outlaw defense. The Tigers were unable to move the ball at all. On the first play from scrimmage the Tiger's top running back went down with an injury and never returned. On the second down the quarterback was sacked for a 14-yard loss.

The Tigers made a small gain on third down, but were forced to punt with fourth down and 16 yards to go.

The Outlaws dominating performance was even better than they had hoped.

"We thought the game would be closer," said head coach Bob Macauley, who was recently named Capital Conference Coach of the Year. "Only one team had scored more than two offensive touchdowns against Taft all year."

The Outlaws matched that number before the first quarter was over. It took less than three minutes for the Outlaws to hit paydirt as they scored on their third play from scrimmage.

Dusty Macauley completed three straight passes, quickly covering 61 yards, culminated by Jon Justin's 17-yard touchdown reception.

When Jered Sundquist converted the first of his six point-after kicks to put the Outlaws up 7-0, things were just getting started.

It was 14-0 minutes later as Jon Justin leapt high for another Macauley pass in the end zone. With the defense having an answer for everything Taft tried that is how the quarter ended.

Sisters sputtered a bit on offense in the second quarter and kept things interesting with a couple of fumbles, but the defense was there to keep things steady. Macauley was sacked once on the first series of the quarter and the Outlaws were forced to punt.

The Tigers were snuffed again themselves and had to punt, but when Jamie Newport fumbled on the return, the partisan crowd grew a little quieter. Taft inherited good field position for the first time in the game.

The stellar Outlaws defense had no intention of giving the Tigers any breathing room however, and did not allow them to gain a single yard in the next three plays, forcing Taft to punt yet again.

Sisters coughed up the ball on a fumble from the first play after the punt and suddenly Taft was knocking on the door from 20 yards out. The Outlaws defense stood tough, and when Taft decided to go for it on fourth and five from the 15 yard line Cody Hill put a stop to the scoring threat with a sack of the quarterback way back at the 29-yard line.

Jered Sundquist added to the Outlaws' cushion before the quarter ended with a 26-yard field goal with under a minute left. The quarter ended with yet another quarterback sack by the Outlaws and the score stood at 17-0.

The Tigers had minus three yards of offense against the Outlaws defense in the first half.

Jamie Newport got the second half off to a fast start with a 45-yard return of the kickoff to begin the third quarter. When Josh Orlando swept into the end zone from 28 yards out three plays later, the hometown crowd was really rocking.

The teams traded three and outs, but when Sisters punted down to the six-yard line, the defense started looking for a safety. They got it two plays later as Tom Barrier and Walter Gager caught the Tiger quarterback in the end zone for two points to make it 26-0.

The ensuing kickoff to the Outlaws was returned to the 31-yard line and three plays later David Martin scampered in from six yards out.

Sundquist's fifth PAT made it 33-0, which is how the third quarter ended.

The fourth quarter became an opportunity for some of the backup players to get into the game for Sisters, and the reserves decided to add to the celebration by contributing to the score.

After an interception by Jacob Rothauge brought the ball to the 21-yard line, the offense was able to get a first down, and Chris Olson snuck into the end zone two plays later on a quarterback keeper from eight yards out.

Taft did manage to score against the Outlaws reserves and picked up most of their meager total of 102 offensive yards in the touchdown drive.

Coach Macauley views Junction City as a tougher opponent than Taft.

"They have a stingy defense, much like our own, so I figure we will be well-matched," he said. "Big plays will probably win the game."

Macauley credited the home town crowd with keeping his players pumped up throughout Saturday's game and hopes that a large contingent will make the trip over to the Oregon State campus for Friday's game.

"The fans make such a difference," he said.

A rooter bus is planned for Sisters High School students. Community members interested in taking the bus can contact Sisters High School at 549-4045. Ticket prices are $6 for adults and $4 for students. Fans are reminded that banners, signs, balloons, or artificial noisemakers are not allowed at playoff contests.