Outlaws close out football season with win

The Outlaws football squad posted a 21-15 non-league victory on the road at Philomath on Friday, April 9, in their final game of the season.

Quarterback Griffin Gardner started the first quarter with a touchdown behind his offensive line, which gave him time to drop back, make his reads, and deliver the ball. On first and 10 from the Philomath 20-yard line, the Outlaws had the mismatch they wanted with 6-foot-1-inch senior Nate Weber covered by a much shorter defender. Gardner launched a high arcing pass down the far sideline and let Weber leap up and grab the ball for the TD.

The Outlaws defense shut down the Warriors’ attack with physical play. One exceptional defensive highlight was when Wyatt Maffey dislodged a sure reception over the middle, letting the home team know the Outlaws weren’t going to roll over. At the end of the first quarter the Outlaws held a 7-0 lead.

In the second quarter, the Outlaws scored on a quarterback dive up the middle from six yards out. The TD was aided by center Cam Wessel, who lifted his quarterback into the end zone for the score. Sisters closed out the half with a 14-0 advantage.

The Warriors came out in the second half and let the Outlaws know they were still in the fight. Behind some shifty running by their quarterback, they marched down the field and scored.

Sisters responded and put together a drive of their own that culminated in a one-yard TD run by Gardner. At the end of three the Outlaws held a 21-7 advantage.

Philomath scored again and converted on their two-point try with 6:22 left in the game. The Outlaws controlled the clock with one final drive to seal the win.