Outlaws fall to Marist in championship

The Outlaws' undefeated football season came to an unhappy end on Saturday when they lost 28-36 to Marist in the 4A State Championship at Reser Stadium in Corvallis.

Both teams started off tentatively, but the Marist offense came through late in the second quarter. Spartan quarterback Ryan Bell ran the ball into the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown (TD) and then threw a 21-yard TD strike to Mitchel Wilson just before the clock ran down to close out the first half with the Spartans holding a 13-0 lead.

Coach Bob Macauley told The Nugget that the play that resulted in Marist's second TD of the half was Sisters' worst play of the game.

"In retrospect, I should have called a timeout and given the defense time to reset," said Macauley.

Sisters made some costly mistakes in the first half, fumbled the ball twice and asked a lot of their defense. At the half Sisters had only rushed 23 yards and passed for 36. Marist rushed for 125 yards and passed for 105.

The Outlaws came out at the start of the third quarter a completely different team. The team found its rhythm and marched down the field and scored a touchdown on a five-yard Cory McCaffrey run. The Outlaws closed Marists' lead to 13-7.

Marist came right back and scored on a seven-yard run. Their two point conversion attempt failed, but they pushed to a 19-7 advantage.

Tanner Hodges followed with two consecutive touchdowns for Sisters. Hodges caught a 23-yard TD pass from Hasskamp and an eight-yard TD strike. For the first time in the game, the Outlaws took the lead 21-19.

But the Outlaws were unable to hold the lead. The Spartans regained possession and finished their drive with a field goal to regain the lead 22-21.

The Outlaws were forced to punt with just over six minutes left on the clock. Marist took control of the ball and capped their drive with a 24-yard TD run by Bobby Edwards and pushed to a 29-21 advantage.

Sisters got the ball back but fumbled, and Marist was back in business. The Spartans again scored off an Edwards run (17 yards). Marist went up with a comfortable 36-21 lead.

The Outlaws weren't about to give up the fight and in under one minute scored a TD. Hasskamp took the ball and threw a beautiful 43-yard pass right into the arms of Hodges. On the very next play Hasskamp found Nate Jackson in the corner of the end zone for the score. Hodges' PAT was good, and Sisters closed the Spartan lead to 36-28.

The Outlaws ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Spartans, who kept the ball on the ground and ran out the clock to secure the win.

Hasskamp went 15 for 23 for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Hodges caught eight passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns. McCaffrey rushed 23 times for 99 yards and a touchdown, and Jackson caught two passes for 25 yards and a touchdown.

Taylor Davenport rushed three times for 24 yards. Emery Meyer caught three passes for 31 yards and Carroll Gryder caught two passes for 28 yards.

Dominic Nieri led all players on defense with 16 tackles.

Coach Bob Macauley had special praise for three players he felt played an outstanding game.

"Dom (Nieri) had an outstanding game for us on defense and on offense and played championship ball," said Macauley.

"Jarred (Hasskamp) also had a great game and kept things moving for us, and both today and last week Tanner (Hodges) has had phenomenal games for us."

Facing the end of a stellar season - and the end of his Outlaws coaching career - Macauley said: "It didn't end the way we'd hoped. All we can take from it is the whole journey, the opportunity to play meaningful games with friends and take our core values and apply them to life. When the emotions of the game are washed away, the kids will be left with memories and values that will help them in life."