The East Linn Loggers have jelled.
The Loggers beat the Springfield Buzzards 20-8 Saturday, May 20, at South Eugene High School to raise their record to 4-2 and clinch home-field advantage in the National Nineman Football League playoffs.
“This was our best all-around game we’ve played so far,” said Head Coach Jesse Garcia Sr. “I’m so proud I could bust.”
“Our offense, defense and special teams were awesome. It was a complete game. The Buzzards went out and recruited a lot of All-Stars, and we have a solid team. Everyone plays together. There’s the difference.”
The Loggers scored with 32 seconds left in the first half when quarterback Duane Stevens ran up the middle for an 11-yard touchdown. The extra point kick was blocked, but East Linn took a 6-0 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, the Loggers defense took over. With 24:49 left to play, safety Ronnie Garcia blocked a punt, scooped it up and returned it 42 yards for a score to make it 12-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Garcia trapped the returner at the nine-yard line and almost caused a fumble.
“He didn’t have huge numbers, but he had huge plays,” said Garcia Sr.
The Buzzards came back to score on a long ball and converted the two-point attempt to close within 12-8, but with 11:30 to play, Stevens hit tight end Tony Webb for a 32-yard reception. Then Devin Dvorak caught a nine-yard touchdown pass, and followed that up with another catch on the two-point conversion attempt to make it 20-8 with 10:40 left.
The Loggers defense shut down Springfield for the rest of the game.
Trase Privratsky led the Loggers with 15 carries for 30 yards and added two receptions for 29, while Danny Nunn carried eight times for 24 yards. Mike Bell led the receiving corps with six catches for 66 yards, while Dvorak had three catches for 15 yards and the two scores.
On the defensive side of the ball although defensive end Rod Jaques had three solo tackles and, Garcia said, was responsible for putting major pressure on the Buzzards quarterback and forcing him to throw on the run most of the day. Defensive end Chris Ropp added four solos and one assist, and added pressure also.
Defensive backs Bodie Dowding and Jesse Garcia Jr. both had four solos and one assist each and contributed five pass deflections between them.
Craig Bergevin led the linebackers with nine solos and there assists, while Derek Robinson added six solos and four assists.
The Loggers have next Saturday off, and then will return for their final regular-season game against the Power Valley Sharks, at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at South Eugene.
“So there it is. We’ve locked up third place no matter what happens,” said Garcia Sr. “If we can keep the momentum, it will bring positive dividends going into the playoffs. What a pure joy this team is to watch when all the cylinders are clicking.”