Missed opportunities sink Outlaws on gridiron

It was an evenly matched battle between the Outlaws and the White Buffaloes at Madras on Friday, September 9 — but a few too many mistakes and missed opportunities cost the Outlaws the game.

The first half was back and forth and a grueling defensive battle. Both teams held each other to minimal gains until Madras scored on a trick play in the second quarter, a 45-yard double pass, which gave the White Buffs a 7-0 lead.

Sisters dug in and came right back. The Outlaws marched down the field with a passing attack led by quarterback Easton Moore. Moore threw three pass plays, of 24, 26, and 17 yards, to receivers Gabe Bailey, Mason Sellers, and Justin DeSmet, which put Sisters on the two-yard line. Tony Gonzalez punched it in on a dive play, Brody Duey was good on the PAT. At the half the game was knotted up at 7-7.

Madras scored a touchdown in the third period and extended their lead to 13-7, and tacked on two more touchdowns in the final period for the win. Sisters got their last touchdown late in the fourth on a two-yard pass to Adam Maddox-Castle that was set up by a 32-yard catch by Dawson Roberson. The game ended in a 29-14 loss for the Outlaws.

Quarterback Easton Moore went 17-28 for a total of 215 yards.

DeSmet had four rushes for 21 yards, Gonzalez had 17 rushes for 17 yards, and Maddox-Castle had four carries for 15 yards.

Ben Cooper recorded two receptions for 33 yards, Maddox-Castle four receptions for 15 yards, and Mason Sellers three receptions for 53 yards. Dawson Roberson finished with two receptions for 41 yards, DeSmet five receptions for 41 yards and Gabe Bailey one reception for 24 yards.

The Outlaws finished the night with 245 total offensive yards.

Gonzalez led the defense with six tackles, followed by Maddox-Castle, who had five. Ben Cooper and Hudson Symonds recorded four tackles each, and Jessey Murillo posted four tackles and one quarterback sack. DeSmet also had an interception in the first quarter.

Coach Clayton Hall said, “I thought our boys played hard and gave a good effort. Madras is a good team and our defense played good enough to win the game, but we just came up short. I know our boys will bounce back, because they are resilient and tough.”

The Outlaws will open league play at home against the Elmira Falcons on Friday, September 16.