Football team is playoff bound

Sisters’ football squad defeated Harrisburg on the road in a final score of 42-14 on Friday, October 28, in their final league game of the season. With the win the Outlaws (No. 13) are playoff bound; they will compete in the first round against Banks (No. 4) on Friday, November 4 at Banks High School. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Outlaws took control of the game from the start. After an opening defensive stand, Adam Maddox-Castle sprinted down the left sideline for a 29-yard touchdown that was set up by some great blocks by the Outlaws’ offensive line. Sisters took a 7-0 lead after a successful PAT by Brody Duey.

Sisters forced another three-and-out and the Outlaws’ offense went back to work. Maddox-Castle busted through the Eagles’ defense and ran 31 yards down to the nine-yard line. On the ensuing play Maddox-Castle took the ball nine yards into the end zone for the score. The PAT failed, but the Outlaws went up 13-0 with two minutes left in the first period.

On the first play of the Eagles’ next possession Hudson Beckwith intercepted the ball and once again the Outlaws’ offense was back in business. Sisters got the ball on the 34-yard line and Maddox-Castle took the handoff and ran through a giant hole off the left side of the offensive line and galloped into the end zone. After a successful two-point conversion by Maddox-Castle, the Outlaws were on top 21-0.

The Eagles tried to throw a fade down the sideline on their first possession, but Beckwith was there again and intercepted the pass. The quarter came to an end with the Outlaws out front 21-0.

The Eagles put together an 11-play drive early in the second quarter, but it ended with an interception by Duey. Four plays later, quarterback Easton Moore found Patrick Silva running a corner route and dropped the ball in on what Coach Clayton Hall stated was one of the most beautiful passes of the year. Moore hit Silva in stride for a 35-yard touchdown pass. Duey kicked it through the uprights for the PAT and the Outlaws went up 28-0 midway through the second period.

The Eagles came back on their next possession with an eight-play drive and scored on a 29-yard TD pass. They hit the PAT and closed the Outlaws’ lead to 28-7.

After an unsuccessful Harrisburg kick the Outlaws got the ball back on their own 38-yard line. Moore found Mason Sellers down the sideline for a 62-yard TD pass and the Outlaws extended their lead to 35-7 after Duey kicked the PAT. The score held until the buzzer ended the half.

Sisters came out of the half and quickly scored on a 12-yard TD pass from Moore to Sellers, which pushed the Outlaws to a 42-7 advantage. The Eagles scored their last TD in the final quarter and the Outlaws recorded the win.

Moore went four-for-10, with 158 yards passing, and three passing TDs. Sellers led the team with three receptions for 122 yards and two TDs. Maddox-Castle led the team in rushing with nine carries for 117 yards, and three rushing TDs. Sisters finished the night with 344 yards of offense.

Sellers and Ethan Eby led the defense with seven tackles each. Henry Rard tallied six tackles, and Hudson Symonds, Gabe Bailey, Ben Cooper, and Patrick Silva added four tackles each.

Coach Hall said, “I was very pleased with how our kids played. From start to finish our boys kept the pedal to the metal. I felt that our offensive line did a great job opening holes for our running backs and protecting our quarterback in the passing game.”

Hall noted Maddox-Castle for “one heck of a game,” and said that Sellers made some great catches and used “shifty speed” to get some big yards after the catch. Moore did a good job at quarterback and found his receivers in the passing game.

Hall also had praise for his defense, who he said “flew to the ball all night and didn’t give Harrisburg much room to breathe.” Beckwith played a great game at corner and came up with two great picks early in the game, which helped spark the Outlaws’ offense.

The Outlaws finished their regular season 4-2 in league and 6-3 overall, and are excited to head into playoffs.