Outlaws record first league win

The Outlaws football team recorded its first win in league of the season, defeating La Pine 47-30 at home on Friday, October 22. The win couldn't have been more timely, as it came on Homecoming week.

Sisters' solid defensensive efforts were key in the Outlaws win.

The Outlaws scored on their first drive in a no-huddle offense. Quarterback Erik Carlson handed the ball off to Jalen Miller who crossed over the goal from the two-yard line to score. Marteen Jiminez kicked the extra point and Sisters went up 7-0.

La Pine took advantage of a fumbled punt and scored. Their attempt at a two-point conversion failed but the Hawks narrowed Sisters' lead to 7-6.

Jalen Miller, on Sisters' second possession, took a sweep behind the blocking of Jiminez, Hayden Wester and Mitch Keranen, and ran 12 yards for the touchdown. The PAT from Jiminez was good and Sisters extended their lead to 14-6.

With only 20 seconds coming off the clock, Marcus Arends recovered a fumble and the Outlaws regained possession. Miller took an option pitch from Carlson and went 14 yards for his third TD of the night. Jiminez kicked the PAT, and at the close of the first quarter the Outlaws held a 21-6 lead over the Hawks.

Midway through the second quarter, with La Pine threatening to score, Jiminez intercepted the ball to stop the Hawks' drive. The Outlaws took over and went 55 yards in nine plays down to the two-yard line. John Green ran it in up the middle behind the blocking of Steven Nemer and Sam Calarco to put Sisters up 28-6.

The Hawks managed to score a TD and got the two-point conversion to narrow the Outlaws lead to 28-14 at the half.

At the start of the third quarter the Outlaws defense held the Hawks to three and out. Erik Carlson took the reins and completed three consecutive passes. Eric Mickel caught a 16-yard pass to get the Outlaws out of their own territory and then Jiminez hauled in a 25-yard pass over the middle. Jordan Hodges finished the 86-yard drive with a 45-yard pass down the sideline.

A couple of Sisters' miscues resulted in a Hawk touchdown, but at the close of the third quarter Sisters still had the lead at 35-22.

The fourth quarter opened with a Sisters drive that took six minutes off the clock. Ethan Luloff ran into the end zone from the one-yard line to cap the 69-yard drive and push the Outlaws to a 41-22 advantage.

With six minutes left in the game, Jiminez intercepted the ball for the second time to stop the Hawks one more time. The Outlaws took possession on their own 38-yard line and added a final touchdown. Carlson connected with Jiminez on a 14-yard TD pass and Sisters pushed to a 47-22 lead.

La Pine scored with a minute left on the clock, and was successful on the two-point conversion. The game ended in a 47-30 win for the Outlaws.

Eric Carlson led the offense with 11 of 17 completions for 187 yards and a touchdown and also contributed 67 yards rushing. The Outlaws offensive line of Jiminez, Keranen, Hayden Wester, Randon Beech, Nemer and Calarco did an outstanding job blocking and provided Carlson with great protection. The line also opened holes for Green, Miller and Luloff, who all recorded touchdowns in the game.

Green rushed for 28 yards and a touchdown, Miller had 25 carries for 119 yards and three touchdowns and Luloff had four carries for 10 yards and a TD.

On the night, the Outlaws rushed for 187 yards and threw for 187 yards for a total of 374 yards of offense.

The defense put together a solid performance and only allowed 112 yards rushing to La Pine and 113 yards in the air.

"I'm really excited for the kids," said Coach Bob Macauley. "It was a wonderful homecoming event and a combination of joy and relief. I'm proud of them. The kids that have stayed with it and endured adversity got a paycheck for persevering through some difficult weeks."

Sisters will play at home on Friday, October 29, against the Sweet Home Huskies. The winner will earn the final league playoff spot.