Outlaws struggle in season opener

The Sisters Outlaws fell 20-6 to the Pleasant Hill Billies at home on Friday, March 5. Both teams had sloppy, sluggish starts, but the Billies found their groove and posted the victory.

In the first quarter, Sisters marched down the field with nice runs from Griffin Gardner and Hunter Spor, but stalled after a delay-of-game penalty and an incomplete pass in the end zone. At the end of the quarter, the score was even 0-0.

The Billies opened the second quarter with precise passes and shifty runs. With 35 seconds left in the first half, Pleasant Hill scored their second touchdown of the quarter and entered the half on top 13-0. Sisters moved the ball, but the Outlaws made costly mistakes, and failed to capitalize on their opportunities.

Pleasant Hill dominated play at the start of the third frame and were able to get the ball into the end zone for the third time to close out the quarter with a 20-0 advantage.

In the final quarter, things came together for the Outlaws and they scored on a 10-yard run by Adam Maddox-Castle. The Billies had a long, sustained drive on the ground to run down the clock and post the 20-6 victory.

Spor finished the night with 74 yards rushing and Maddox-Castle recorded 24 yards rushing and a touchdown. Hayden Sharp posted eight tackles, with one for loss.

Sharp, a senior, told The Nugget that execution is a huge part of the game and that the Outlaws have to improve in that area, specifically in their basic assignments.

“Our whole squad needs to encourage and band together to make it work,” he said.

Coach Gary Thorson noted that the Outlaws are a young team as far as experience goes, and so they are going to make mistakes. He was pleased with their effort and that they played hard, but said they have some work to do.

Sisters will play at home against Harrisburg on Friday, March 12.