Outlaws football out in first round of playoffs

The Outlaws football squad lost to No. 4-ranked Banks in a final score of 47-8 in the first round of state playoffs, which was held at Hare Field in Hillsboro. Weather conditions were horrible, as teams battled the cold and stormy weather with incessant rain the entire evening.

Banks is a very physical and well-coached team, and dominated the game on both sides of the ball all night long. The Outlaws offense fumbled twice inside their own 10-yard line, which set up easy scores for the Braves. At the half the Outlaws trailed 0-40.

Sisters’ offense just couldn’t get it going against the very physical Banks defense. Once the second half began, the game went to a running clock. The Outlaws’ final touchdown came in the fourth quarter. Tony Gonzalez had a great 64-yard TD run right up the middle, followed by a two-point conversion by Adam Maddox-Castle. The clock ticked down and Banks recorded the win.

Gonzalez led the Outlaws’ rushing endeavor with 10 rushes for 96 yards. Maddox-Castle led the defense with five tackles, and Hudson Symonds, Ben Cooper, and Ethan Eby all recorded four tackles each.

“This was a very difficult game for us,” said Coach Clayton Hall. “However, this game doesn’t define our season. I’m so proud of our boys for turning the corner in our program. Last year we were 1-6, but this year we were 6-4 overall and 4-2 in league, with a playoff berth.

“We will miss our seniors and we are grateful for the impact they have made on our program.”