Outlaws go toe-to-toe with Newport

The No. 5 state-ranked Newport Cubs (4-0 record) waltzed into Sisters and found an unexpected dance partner in the Sisters Outlaws. The Outlaws battled the Cubs the entire game. In the end, Newport prevailed in a slim 21-20 victory.

Sisters defense hit the field fired up, and was determined to shut down the high-powered Newport offense. The first play of the game set the tone, as the Outlaws made a tackle for loss. They continued to shut down the Cubs, and forced them to punt.

The punt was short, which gave the Outlaws the ball on the Cubs' 37-yard line. Halfway through the first quarter, the home team scored on an 11-yard run by Gator Haken, which was set up by a pass from Taylor Fendall to Korbin Sharp, aided by a 15-yard penalty.

Newport was able to score on a long pass at the end of the first to even the score 7-7.

In the second quarter, Fendall threw a 21-yard pass to Trey Stadeli, and on the next play Haken wove through a host of defenders for a 38-yard run into the endzone. The Outlaws defense was able to hold the Cubs in check for most of the quarter, but Newport was able to tie it up 14-14 as teams entered the half.

The second half was marked by miscues by both offenses, many of which were forced by tenacious defenses. The Outlaws needed a spark, and Dalton Ford, who doesn't start on either side of the ball, stepped up and delivered big-time. Late in the third, Dalton did just what the coach asked of him, and the result was one for the highlight reel. He blocked a punt, recovered the ball, and ran it into the endzone for a score that brought the Outlaws to within one at 20-21.

The extra point was blocked and the Outlaws found themselves down by one.

Of the play, Dalton said, "The coach just told me to run down and make sure the ball was kicked. When I got close enough I just stuck my arms out, blocked the ball, saw the ball was in front of me, and ran it in for the touchdown."

In the final quarter, the size and strength of the coastal team started to take its toll on the Outlaws. After two stalled drives by the Outlaws, the Cubs were able to grind out the win behind their bruising line, and a big running back that overpowered Sisters' undersized defense.

The Outlaws defensive line of Joel Miller, Dante Hanks, Anthony Randolph, and Trey Stadeli did an outstanding job throughout the contest. They persevered, and fought hard against the Cubs' much bigger and stronger defensive line.

Sisters' players put forth a valiant effort, and many filled in at new positions. Trey Stadeli was one of those players and did an incredible job. Trey played defensive end at 165 pounds, and finished the night with seven tackles.

Miller had seven tackles, one for loss, and both Haken and Hayden Sharp tallied six tackles. Haken also had 13 rushes for 57 yards and two touchdowns.

"They (Cubs) were efficient and physical, and they weren't a good match-up for us, but I thought we outplayed them all night," Coach Neil Fendall said. "They got a couple of cheap, deep balls, and that hurt us in the first half, but I really thought at halftime that they were starting to chip and quit, but we just couldn't finalize it."

The Outlaws will travel to Cascade on Friday, October 5, for a match-up against the Cougars.