Outlaws play tough against Valiants

The Outlaws put up a hard-fought fight at home against Valley Catholic on Friday, September 13, but were unable to move the ball on their last possession of the game and lost by three, 22-19.

Valley Catholic may have hit Reed Stadium with thoughts of rolling over the Outlaws like they did last year, but this year the Outlaws were ready. The Valiants discovered the Outlaws were defensively prepared and able to contain the potent offense of quarterback Daniel Pruitt and running back Trey Eberhart.

The Outlaws had a terrible first quarter, and their offense was stifled as the Valiants came out in a different defense than what they’d played in the past. At the end of the period the Valiants were on top 14-0, with the aid of an onside kick that was recovered near midfield.

With 2:47 left in the half, Sisters made a big stop on fourth down. Hunter Spor and Ethan Martin ran the ball up the middle, Hayden Sharp had a big 43-yard outside run, and then Taylor Fendall wove his way through traffic for an 11-yard TD run. At the half Sisters trailed 14-6, but were in sync on both sides of the ball.

Sisters opened the second half with a balanced attack with in-and-out runs, pitches and various combinations which allowed them to march down the field. The drive culminated in a pitch to Gator Haken for a four-yard TD run that narrowed the margin to 14-13.

The Valiants drove the ball to the Outlaws one-yard line where a fumbled snap led to a recovery by Anthony Randolph at the two-yard line. Sisters first play from the two was a loss and the situation looked grim.

Coach Neil Fendall made a gutsy call. He called a play action from the goal line, complete to Hayden Sharp for a 98-yard TD score for the Outlaws’ first lead of the game, 19-14, with 5:34 left on the clock.

Sisters forced a punt, had a three-and-out, and punted again. The Valiants faced a fourth down at midfield, but were able to get behind the Outlaws’ pass coverage for a long TD and a two-point conversion with just under two minutes left in the game.

The Outlaws were unable to move the ball on their final possession and suffered the heartbreaking loss.

Coach Fendall said, “I’m really proud of the guys. It was a lot of fun. In terms of how we competed I think we’re back to where we were last year. We’re playing scrappy and hard. The guys did a lot of great things. We fought and came back and offensively found traction.”

Randolph was an irresistible force for the Outlaws and lived in the Valiants’ backfield for much of the game. He finished the night with a sack, a tackle for loss, a fumble recovery, as well as several assisted tackles.

Randolph commented on the difference in the team’s play from the previous week.

“This week we worked a lot more on defense because we saw we were pretty weak in that area,” said Randolph. “We knew we just had to wear them down because we’re ironmen and we go strong the whole game.”

Liam Elesio played sideline-to-sideline from his linebacker spot. Elesio finished with five solo tackles, a tackle for loss, and a highlight-reel interception, where he bobbled the ball three or four times before securing the pick.

Elesio explained how the interception unfurled.

“It was just crazy,” said Elesio, laughing. “The ball deflected off Hunter Spor and then hopped up in the air. I just kind of went off my two weeks of receiver training that I had early in my freshman year before getting switched to lineman. I just tried my best and it worked out well.”

Garrett Kersavage had a key interception on the one-yard line that saved a score. Ethan Martin was a bulldozer on defense, and Hayden Sharp’s speed was too much for Valley Catholic, Hayden ended the night with one reception for 98 yards as well as 66 yards rushing.

The Outlaws will travel to Crook County on Friday, September 20.