Football shuts out Harrisburg in big win

In Friday night’s contest against Harrisburg on November 1, fans watched teams warm up in a torrential downpour that turned the field into a wet, muddy mess. At the start of the game, the rains stopped for the duration of the contest, but field conditions were still very slick and muddy.

The Outlaws dominated play throughout the contest and beat the young Eagles’ squad 52-0.

At the start of the contest, Sisters stopped Harrisburg on their fourth down attempt, and took possession of the ball at midfield. On the third play, Trent Gordon hit Kolbi Cotner for a 28-yard touchdown (TD) pass, which got the scoring spree started. The point after touchdown (PAT) failed but Sisters was on the scoreboard at 6-0.

The Eagles went three-and-out on their next possession and punted the ball. Hudson Beckwith picked up the ball on the 33-yard line and raced up the Outlaws’ sidelines 67 yards on a great return for the score. Trent Gordon hit the PAT and Sisters went up 13-0. At the close of the first period Sisters held a 13-0 lead.

Sisters scored their third TD of the night in the second quarter on a beautiful 74-yard TD pass from Gordon to Beckwith, again up the Outlaws’ sidelines. Beckwith took a high snap on the PAT attempt, and ran it around the right side for the two-point conversion, which took the Outlaws to a 21-0 advantage.

Ethan Eby followed with a four-yard TD run. The PAT failed, but Sisters pushed to a 27-0 lead.

The Outlaws added one more score in the quarter on a one-yard run by Kayl Mock. The drive included a key 20-yard sweep by Spencer Davis. The PAT failed but at the half Sisters held a commanding 33-0 lead.

Sisters jumped out with another TD just a little over a minute into the third quarter.

Coach Gary Thorson said, “Davis went 45 yards on a beautiful sweep off the right side, getting a great block from Cotner along the way.”

The Outlaws scored once more in the third on a 65-yard interception return for a TD by Dawson Roberson. Freshman Bennitt Hayes hit the PAT and the Outlaws closed out the third quarter on top 46-0.

Sisters wrapped up their scoring spree in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by Joel Vogt making it a 52-0 game that held until the final buzzer.

On defense, Wyatt Shockley and Beckwith led the team with three tackles each. Roberson had a great pick six and also stole the ball away from a Harrisburg returner on a kickoff. Freshman Cash Allen had his best night as an Outlaws from his defensive end position and registered a sack.

The Outlaws limited the Eagles to minus-four yards total offense on the night (minus 19 rushing and 15 passing).

On offense, Davis led the squad in rushing with four carries for 72 yards and Gordon was two-for-four for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Sisters finished the night with 270 yards total offense (168 rushing).

Thorson said, “This was a very odd night for stats, as we scored on defense and special teams, and also had a very short field for most of our drives.

“This was a challenging but fun week for the program,” added Thorson. “Harrisburg is a very young football team and has been outmatched most of the season, but the players worked hard this week and performed well on a very sloppy and wet field. They did not look past this game, and we came out of it healthy, which is huge as we head into the playoffs.”

Sisters will travel to Taft for the first round of the state playoffs on Friday, November 8. Kickoff time is yet to be determined.

Of that contest Thorson said, “Taft is a good football team that throws the ball very well and it will be a great challenge for us again. They gave us a good battle when they came over here Week Two and it will be tougher playing on the road at their place. But, I think our team has shown some steady improvement all season long and they are very excited for the opportunity to continue to play. Friday night high school football games are a whole bunch of fun, but the Friday night playoff experience is that much more of a rush for the kids playing, and they have been looking forward to this for a long time. We had a bad taste in our mouth after we bowed out early last year, and I think they feel like they have something to prove. It should be a great football game.”