Jason Casey
Sweet Home lost another tough game Friday night in Estacada in a contest that was closer than the final 28-14 score indicates.
Things started rough for the Huskies as the Rangers’ defense scored on three of their first four possessions in the first half. Their other drive stalled after an unforced fumble at the end of field-length march.
“I thought the first half we had a bunch of individuals out there, playing in sections, said Coach Dustin Nichol. “I thought in the second half we started playing as a unit, it’s just unfortunate that it took us a half to get that figured out.”
However, the game wasn’t without its bright spots.
In the fourth quarter, on third-and-5, Keanu Aiona took a pitch, sprinted to his right and unleashed a 44-yard halfback pass over the defense to keep the drive and the offense on the field and allow the passing back to find traction.
“Our line was fantastic, our run game started off weak in the first half but our pass protection was unbelievable and we started to run the ball really well in the second half,” said quarterback Justin Tow. “I have to give everything to (the offensive line.) They were amazing.”
That dormant passing game really came alive in the third and fourth quarter for the first time in this young season. Tow slung a tight spiral down the left side of the field to Dan Virtue, who beat the Ranger defenders in a footrace down the sideline for a 54-yard touchdown. Then the Huskies added a two-point conversion, Tow rolled to the right and threw a strike that hit Virtue right in the hands to bring the score to as close as it would get, 20-14 with 8:06 to go in the fourth quarter. Tow finished the game with 184 yards one touchdown and one interception.
Virtue finished with 140 receiving yards and a touchdown.
“Brandon Keenon had a high ankle sprain the last three plays of the game last week. We are out here playing on a cow pasture, so he was limited, he was a game time decision to play any football at all,” said Nichol.
The Huskies, down 20-14 got the ball in the fourth quarter, after big defensive tackle Gavin Baskin sacked Ranger’s quarterback Andy Avants and threw him to the ground to force a punt that gave Sweet Home possession with a chance to take the lead with 6:25 to go.
But the ensuing drive stalled and the Huskies turned the ball over on downs after failing to convert on fourth-and-seven. Estacada salted the game away adding a touchdown with 43 seconds on the clock to bring the score to the final 28-14.
Aiona was the featured back Friday night, leading the team in carries. He finished with the only touchdown on the ground after taking a fourth-and-four handoff from Tow, displaying a quick burst behind the left side of the offensive line and diving into the end zone to beat the defenders for the Huskies’ first touchdown of the game to bring the score to 14-6. Aiona finished with 72-yards on 16 carries and one touchdown.
“Keanu Aiona stepped up, he’s fast smart and catches the ball well,” said Tow about the 5-7 junior.
With a healthy Brandon Keenon the Huskies could have a formidable 1-2 punch with Aiona demonstrating Friday that he is, without question, a varsity-caliber running back.
Sweet Home had trouble stopping the double wing option run game of the Rangers – running back Doug Kirchofer and quarterback Avants found seams in the young Husky defense.
“Our biggest problem on defense tonight was stopping the dive back on the option, one starts breaking down and the other person thinks they have to make up for it, so that’s kind of the issue there,” Nichol said.
Those runs set up wide receiver Sam Blankenship for the first touchdown of the game, Avants rolled right and hit Blankenship on third-and-13 for the first score of the game. Two minutes later the Rangers added another touchdown on the ground.
Even though the Huskies got down early, the players never hung their heads.
“These guys don’t quit competing,” said Nichol. “They got heart, and they got desire, and what that tells me is they just lack experience.”
While every coach wants to win every game, Nichol likes getting his young players in the game and getting them valuable snaps before league play starts Sept. 25 at home against Sisters.
The next opponent for the Huskies (0-2) are the visiting North Valley Knights (0-2) who have had a rough first two games, being outscored 48-3 by North Bend and 58-6 by South Umpqua in their first two games.
After having their opener against Crook County relocated to Prineville two weeks ago due to unfinished work on Husky Field, this will be the Huskies’ first chance to play on the brand new artificial turf.
“I’m anticipating we are going to get things settled down and figured out come league,” Nichol said. “ I’m hoping. I want to win every game, but in reality, these games right now are getting us developmental time for our team to be ready for league and league placement.”
Scoring Summary
Sweet Home 6 0 0 8 – 14
Estacada 14 6 0 8 – 28
First Quarter
EST Sam Blankenship 28 pass from Andy Avants (Thom Kick) 7:10
EST Levi Albrecht 9 run (Thom Kick) 5:06
SH Keanu Aiona 4 run (pat failed) 53.4
Second Quarter
EST Kirchhofer 34 run (pat failed) 4:26
Fourth Quarter
SH Dan Virtue, 54 pass from Justin Tow (2-pt Virtue- Tow) 8:06
EST Kirchhofer 3 run (2-pt Albrecht -Avants) 43.5