Outlaws: League champs

A tough Outlaws defense led the way for Sisters to clinch the league title with a 14-6 victory over the Cottage Grove (CG) Lions at home on Friday, October 27.

Cottage Grove took the opening drive in the contest and advanced to the Outlaws' five-yard line. On fourth and five Mike Hernandez sacked the quarterback for a 10-yard loss, and Sisters' defensive game was on.

Sisters took possession and fumbled the ball on their first drive. The Outlaws turned the ball over on the 25-yard line, and the defense came back in.

The Lions were stopped on fourth and five with an incomplete pass into the end zone.

The Outlaws regained possession and drove the ball to the 46-yard line and were stopped. Nate Jackson punted the ball 37 yards and backed up CG to their own 15-yard line.

"That was the most important play in the drive," said Coach Bob Macauley. "The whole first quarter was played right by our goal line."

The punt by CG ended the scoreless first quarter.

The entire second quarter seemed to be an exchange of punts. Nate Jackson booted a 47-yard punt that put CG deep into their own territory.

"Even on their own drives they had to go a long way," said Macauley. "They couldn't sustain their drives and were forced to punt."

Again, the Outlaws' defense kept CG out of the end zone, and the game remained scoreless.

The Outlaws got the ball on the 25-yard line at the start of the third quarter and began to march down the field. Two key plays in the drive were a 25-yard reception from Jarred Hasskamp to Jake Kleint and a 13-yard run by Cory McCaffrey. On fourth and five in a clutch situation, Hasskamp completed a 27-yard pass to Nate Jackson for the touchdown. Josh Marr's extra point was good, and the Outlaws took a 7-0 lead.

Cottage Grove answered back with a 12-play drive that covered 80 yards and ended in a TD. The Lions missed the extra point but closed the Outlaw lead to 7-6.

Carroll Gryder returned the ball to the 30-yard line, and the Outlaws went 70 yards in six plays. Hasskamp hit Gryder on a 45-yard pass down to the Lions' five-yard line. McCaffrey took it in from the five on the next play. Marr hit the extra point, and Sisters took a 14-6 advantage.

CG was threatening to score again when Jeff Sampson stripped the ball and Gryder recovered it at midfield. The clock ran down to end the third quarter.

The Outlaws went three-and-out early in the fourth, and Jackson made a 48-yard punt that backed CG up to their own 15-yard line.

"Field position was critical," said Macauley. "Nate Jackson's and Josh Marr's kicking kept CG in their own territory all night."

Macauley noted two critical fourth quarter defensive plays.

On fourth and five at midfield, Dominic Neiri tackled a CG running back three yards short of a first down on the 45-yard line.

Late in the game on CG's final drive, Trevor Summers sacked the CG quarterback to stop a drive. CG went for the fourth down play and was stopped by Jeff Sampson and about half of the defensive team.

Sisters ran down the clock securing the 14-6 victory and the league title.

The Outlaws defense had a remarkable performance. On average, CG rushes for 370 yards a night, and Sisters' defense held them to 203 yards rushing - quite a feat considering CG's front line averages 260 pounds compared to the Outlaws' 185 pound average.

"This win was an entire defensive team effort, and I want to cite all of the defensive players who absolutely had a brilliant game: Hayden Mayea, Trevor Summers, Sam Simone, Todd Bell, Jake Kleint, Levi Goins, Tyson Edmunson, Marcus Gaboni and Mike Hernandez," said Macauley.

Defensive backs Carroll Gryder, Nate Jackson and Miles Johnston also had an incredible game. Gryder had an especially good game with eight tackles, a fumble recovery, pass receptions for 71 yards and a 30-yard kick-off return.

Jeff Sampson recorded 21 tackles for the night, which is a good couple of weeks work for a linebacker.

"Jeff was all over the place on both sides of the ball," said Macauley. "He did everything but run concessions at half time."

Other standouts on defense were Dominic Neiri, Taylor Davenport, Trevor Summers and Todd Bell. Bell recorded 12 tackles and Summers recorded 10 tackles and a sack. Neiri and Davenport added nine tackles each.

The offense wasn't without their own heroes.

Quarterback Jarred Hasskamp completed nine of 15 passes for 137 yards and a TD and rushed five times for 20 yards. McCaffrey rushed 18 times for 65 yards.

"Our offense averaged six yards every time the ball was snapped, but we had fewer plays than CG," said Macauley.

"I felt great coming out of the game," said Macauley. "CG is an outstanding team and in the same class as Marist. I'm relieved the week is over and glad to put a check in the box."