The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Outlaws lost 36-19 on the road at Siuslaw on Friday, March 25.

Sisters’ defense had a good start and stopped Siuslaw on a fourth-down attempt to gain possession of the ball in Viking territory. The Outlaws drive stalled at the 10-yard line, but Sean Alvarez drilled a 27-yard kick through the uprights to put Sisters on top 3-0. Siuslaw took possession and, after a long 11-play drive, scored on a pass due to broken coverage. They were good on the two-point conversion and at the close of the first quarter held an 8-3 advantage over the Outlaws.

In the second, a bad snap on an Outlaws punt gave the Vikings good field position, and they scored again. They made the two-point conversion, and extended their lead to 16-3. Later, Sisters drove the ball to the midfield, but were forced to punt. Siuslaw put together a 91-yard drive, and took it into the endzone for the score, and a 22-3 lead to end the half.

The Outlaws played much better on both sides of the ball in the second half, particularly on offense.

Sisters took the opening kick of the second half, and drove 78 yards for the score on a 30-yard run by Wyatt Maffey. A tough run by fullback Hunter Spor for the two-point conversion narrowed the gap to 11-22. Siuslaw answered back with another touchdown, but Sisters was able to stop the two-point conversion attempt. At the close of the third quarter the Outlaws trailed 28-11.

The Outlaws got another touchdown in the fourth on a two-yard run by Hayden Sharp and got the two-point conversion on a three-yard quarterback run up the middle by Griffin Gardner.

Siuslaw scored late in the fourth on a short run, got the two-point conversion, and posted the win.

Coach Gary Thorson noted Gardner’s offensive effort, and also Maffey, who did a nice job at middle linebacker.

Thorson told The Nugget that the Outlaws defense struggled against the Vikings option attack all night long, and had multiple breakdowns on assignment, which gave the Vikings some big plays and extended several of their drives.

On the flip side, Thorson was pleased with the Outlaws’ effort.

“We did a good job offensively moving the ball, particularly in the second half,” said Thorson. “We were very proud of how the guys played in the second half after giving such a big lead early in the game and facing that deficit at halftime. Our lack of depth hurts us at times, but it has been an opportunity to get a lot of kids on the field and that is fun to see.”

The Outlaws will play their last game of the season at home against La Pine on Friday, April 2.