Outlaws beat Bulldogs in barnburner

The Outlaws football squad defeated the Creswell Bulldogs 26-21 at home on Friday, October 14. It was a perfect night for football, and the stands were packed with fans. Sisters was short three starters on both sides of the ball, but players rose to the occasion, and worked together for an outstanding team win.

Coach Clayton Hall told The Nugget that coaches had preached all week the “next man up mentality,” and told players it was going to be an all-hands-on-deck type of game. Many of the underclassmen stepped in and filled key positions, including Scott Henderson at center, Ethan Eby at linebacker and Hudson Beckwith at corner, just to name a few.

In the first quarter, the Outlaws stopped the Creswell offensive attack and forced them to punt. Sisters took over on their own 40-yard line and put together a 12-play drive that stalled on the one-yard line. Neither team was able to score and at the end of the first period it was deadlocked 0-0.

The Bulldogs took possession at the start of the second quarter, but two plays later the Outlaws forced a fumble, and Hudson Symonds recovered the football on the two-yard line. On the ensuing play, Tony Gonzalez punched the ball into the end zone on a wedge play. The PAT failed, but the Outlaws took a 6-0 lead.

Creswell got the ball and went on a nine-play drive and scored on a seven-yard pass. Their PAT was good and the Outlaws fell behind 6-7.

Sisters received the kickoff with just 35 seconds left in the half and went on an 18-play drive that was capped by a TD catch by Adam Maddox-Castle. Justin DeSmet had a run off the right side of the offensive line to make good on the two-point conversion and at the half the Outlaws held the momentum and a 14-7 lead.

The Bulldogs were forced to punt at the start of the third period, and the Outlaws took over on their own 45, and got to work. Sisters’ running backs, behind solid blocks from the offensive line, marched down the field to the two-yard line where Gonzalez punched the ball into the end zone to put the Outlaws on top 20-7.

Despite the Outlaws defensive effort, Creswell just wouldn’t relent. The Bulldogs scored two touchdowns in the third quarter and took a one-point lead.

In the final period, Creswell had possession of the ball and was trying to take time off the clock. They got all the way down to the 12-yard line where they faced a fourth-and-one. They ran a quarterback sneak up the middle and got the first down, but an illegal procedure was called and the ball was moved back to make it fourth-and-six. Creswell tried to pass, but the pass was incomplete.

The Outlaws took over on their own 17 with approximately five minutes left in the game. The first play was a 19-yard run by DeSmet, who broke three tackles, stiff-armed a Bulldog defender, and got to the 36. The next three plays netted zero yards and the Outlaws faced a fourth-and-10. The play came in from the sidelines and players lined up. Quarterback Easton Moore took the snap and found receiver Ben Cooper, who snatched the ball out of the air and broke through the middle of the Bulldog defense. There was a penalty on the play, but the Outlaws gained 24 yards, and the first down.

Moore, from the 40 yard line, rolled out, found Cooper on a corner route for a 17 yard gain. The Outlaws found themselves on the 23 yard line with all the momentum, and a screaming crowd behind them. The next three plays were a two yard run by DeSmet, a six yard catch by Brody Duey, and another five yard run by DeSmet.

On a first and 10 from the 10 yard line, the Outlaws were poised to punch the ball into the end zone. Maddox-Castle started with a three yard run, and then DeSmet took the handoff, cut inside a great block by tight end Patrick Silva, and followed his blockers into the end zone. The Outlaws took the lead and the crowd erupted! The two-point conversion attempt failed.

The Bulldogs got the ball back with about 1:30 left in the game. Two plays later, DeSmet made an interception, and the Outlaws got into a victory formation and took a knee.

Hall said, “I am so proud of the way our boys played. We had our backs against the wall and our boys didn’t fold; they rose to the occasion. This was a team win from start to finish and our boys rallied together when the game got tough.”

Defensive coordinator David DeSmet said, “We moved one starter and brought in two other players. All three did a great job of adjusting and playing the way we coached them. The whole defense played great! No one gave up, and everyone came up with big plays when we needed them.”

Justin DeSmet commented on the game:

“It was definitely a hard-fought game and everyone of my teammates fought hard until the final second. The game started to go in Creswell’s favor during the fourth quarter, but that didn’t stop us from continuing to play hard. We were short players so others really stepped up to play in starting roles and helped us secure the victory. I am so proud of my team, and how we battled adversity and still found a way to win!”

Sisters is 2-1 in league and 4-2 overall. They are in third place in league standings and are ranked No. 15 in the state for 3A. The Outlaws will match up against Pleasant Hill on homecoming night, Friday, October 14. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.