Outlaws clear first playoff hurdle

The Sisters Outlaws football team defeated a tough Estacada Rangers team 21-12 on Saturday November 20.

The Outlaws looked a little jittery after a week out of action and were not able to dominate Estacada the way they have other teams.

"It was an ugly win," said senior Shane Crowder "but I'll take any win in the playoffs."

The Rangers took Sisters' air attack out of the game with smothering defense. Quarterback Dusty Mac-auley only completed five of 10 passes for 38 yards and he did not record an aerial touchdown.

The Outlaws' running game was left to carry the load.

Josh Orlando rumbled for 122 yards on 18 carries and Jared Merrell rushed for 57 yards on 12 carries. Macauley also scrambled for 22. Each scored one touchdown apiece.

"Estacada committed too much to one area and was not able to cover another," said head coach Bob Macauley.

Macauley credited his linemen for the win. Sisters offensive line, consisting of five seniors, Luke Seile, Eli Pyke, Jered Coffield, Thom Rivera and Mike Mills, opened up enormous holes for Sisters' running backs.

"We knew that the game was going to be won in the trenches," said junior tailback Ross Hayes "They did a great job of winning the war."

The Outlaws played tough on the other side of the ball.

"This was our best defensive game of the year," coach Macauley said. "Everybody was doing their job."

Eli Pyke led Sisters against an Estacada running attack spearheaded by two enormous running backs. Pyke recorded 18 tackles in the game.

"We knew that if we hit them low and gang tackled that the game was ours," Pyke said.

Grant Cyrus was second on the team with nine tackles, one interception and three fumble recoveries.

Cyrus played perhaps his best game of the year.

Chris Small had two interceptions in the game and came up with seven tackles in the secondary.

The game was not a sure thing for Sisters. In the first quarter, possession changed several times.

On the Rangers' second punt, the kicker fumbled the snap and Small was right there to tackle the punter and allow Jared Merrell to recover the loose ball. On the ensuing play, quarterback Macauley sneaked into the endzone from a yard out to put Sisters on the board.

But on the kickoff the Rangers returned the ball 75 yards for a touchdown. The Outlaws buckled down after the run back; they would not allow another score until the fourth quarter on a running back pass.

Sisters will take on Henley on Saturday, November 27. Henley is currently ranked third and is the only other undefeated team in the state besides Sisters.

The game will be held at 2 p.m.Saturday, November 27, at Reser Stadium in Corvallis.

For more information call 549-4045.