Outlaws bust up Billies on the gridiron

The Outlaws dominated play in their 48-8 victory over the Billies at Pleasant Hill (PH) in Friday night’s football game.

Kolbi Cotner got the Outlaws on the scoreboard just two minutes into the contest. The play was set up by a long pass on the opening play from Hunter Bronson to Landon Scott, and then Cotner finished with a nine-yard run on a sweep for the score.

Pleasant Hill fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Rope Chew and put the Outlaws on their own 26- yard line. Cotner ran for a 17- yard sweep and the drive was capped by an Ethan Eby one- yard run for the TD.

The Billies scored their lone TD on a pass from 22 yards out and made good on their two-point conversion attempt. At the end of the first quarter Sisters held a 13-8 lead.

Sisters added three touchdowns in the second period, the first a Justin deSmet TD on a 10 yard run. deSmet also ran it in for the two-point conversions.

Eby scored on an 11-yard run (two-point attempt failed). DeSmet’s 41-yard run and Cotner’s 15-yard run for a first down highlighted the drive.

Jace Owens wrapped up the second quarter scoring with a 56-yard interception and return with 3:35 left in the half. The PAT was good and at the half the Outlaws were on top 34-8.

“The pick-six by Owens was a huge play and really got the momentum going for us,” said Coach Gary Thorson.

The Outlaws kept steam-rolling over the Billies and added two more touchdowns in the third quarter. Scott scored on a 21-yard pass from Bronson (PAT was good), and Tony Gonzalez scored on a one-yard run with 1:21 left in the third. The kick was good and Sisters went up with a commanding 48-8 lead.

Neither team scored in the final quarter and the Outlaws recorded the win.

On defense, Owens had a pick-six, as did deSmet, and Rope Chew recovered a fumble early in the first quarter. DeSmet, Eby, and Gonzalez all finished with seven tackles on the night. DeSmet also recorded a quarterback sack.

Thorson said, “Dawson Roberson and Hudson Beckwith played well in coverage for us defensively. DeSmet, Gonzalez and Eby stood out again for us on defense and they all came up with big plays.”

On offense, Hunter Bronson went five-for-seven for 85 yards and one TD. Scott had two receptions for 56 yards and one TD, deSmet nine carries for 143 yards and a TD, and Eby had seven carries for 63 yards and two touchdowns.

Thorson noted Dolan Pool and Tony Gonzalez, who he stated had good games at guard, and added that their play was key for the Outlaws in running off the tackle.

“Our running backs ran hard and we completed some key passes throughout the game that helped open things up for us,” added Thorson. “We struggled with pass protection in the first half, but made some scheme adjustments at halftime, and the players did a good job executing those in the second half. Scott had some great catches for us, and his blocking out on the perimeter is a big reason we are able to run the ball so well.”

Reid Woodson continues to be a big weapon for the Outlaws and did a great job kicking the ball. Thorson noted that Woodson has a great work ethic and as a sophomore will only get better.

Sisters rushed for 288 yards on the night and had 56 yards passing.

The Outlaws have a big game this Friday (Homecoming), October 20, against Siuslaw for the league title. Thorson told The Nugget that the Outlaws are making improvements each and every week and are excited to see how the next few weeks unfold.