Outlaws beat Buffs in thriller

It couldn’t have been any closer. The Outlaws and the Madras White Buffaloes battled right down to the wire on Friday, September 23 in Sisters, before the Outlaws took the 28-27 victory behind the leadership of quarterback Andy Burke.

Burke came through in the clutch going nine for 10 in passing from the middle of the third quarter to the end of the game. Burke completed 10 of 18 for 128 yards and two touchdown passes and also rushed eight times for 67 yards and two touchdowns.

It was a battle from the start.

Sisters took the opening kickoff and on their first possession went 49 yards in five plays. Burke scored the Outlaws’ first touchdown just three minutes into the game. Matt Ruettgers’ kick for the extra point was good and Sisters took an early 7-0 lead.

Madras scored in the second quarter to tie the game 7-7.

With six minutes remaining in the half Burke ran it in from the four yard line and the extra point from Ruettgers was good. Sisters pulled ahead to 14-7 and held the lead heading into the half.

In the third quarter Madras blocked a punt and scored to pull to within one at 14-13.

Later in the third, with Madras threatening to score, the Outlaw defense forced a fumble and Brian Knotts recovered the ball on the three yard line.

Sisters took possession and went on a 16-play drive that covered 97 yards and took them into the fourth quarter. Key plays in the drive were a 15-yard pass from Burke to Jeff Fitter and a 30-yard pass to Nate Jackson, who scored on the run. With another point from Ruettgers the Outlaws took a 21-13 lead.

Madras came right back and ran the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, narrowing the Outlaw lead to a slim 21-20.

The Outlaws answered back. Sisters scored on a seven-play drive of 54 yards. Burke threw a 25-yard pass to Jackson and a 19-yard pass to Jeff Fitter for the touchdown. Ruettgers came through for the extra point again and Sisters took a 28-21 advantage.

The White Buffaloes caught a couple of desperation passes to score their final touchdown. With 20 seconds left in the game Madras lined up for the extra point with hopes to tie the game and send it into overtime. The Outlaws were called for off sides and the ball was moved up to the one-and-a-half yard line.

Madras proceeded to take their kicking team off the field and bring back in their offense to try and run the ball in for two points and the win.

The Buffs ran a sweep play and Nick Purvis made the tackle on the one yard line to save the game and secure the win for the Outlaws.

Cory McCaffrey rushed 24 times for 169 yards for the Outlaws and Jeff Sampson rushed 37 touch yards on eight carries.

Leading the defense for the second consecutive week was Sam Pyke with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery. Todd Bell was close behind with 11 tackles, including a sack.

Coach Bob Macauley said his entire defense played very, very well. Madras was held to 91 yards rushing with good line and linebaker play from Sampson, Pyke, Bell, Taylor Davenport, Doug Emberton, Trever Summers, Grant Dahl and Brian Knotts.

The secondary held Madras in check and was led by Purvis, Fitter and Harry Womack.

Macauley said, “Madras is a very good team. It was exciting to be in a close game and win. It was an exciting, competitive game to watch and the fans loved it.”