John Michaels
IVN Contributing Writer
Playing the No. 5 team in the state is a tough task. Playing the fifth-ranked team while you are missing three starters makes the task nearly impossible. The Illinois Valley High School football team demonstrated that when they hosted No. 5 Oakland, who lost in the semi-finals last year to eventual state champion Lowell, and dropped a lopsided contest 44-0 last Friday in Cave Junction.
The Cougars went into the game short-handed, missing senior quarterback Zack Dugas, who was out due to an ankle injury suffered in last week’s loss to Myrtle Point. Also absent were starting tight end Brantly Arroyo and his brother, starting wide receiver/defensive back Preston Arroyo who both missed the game due to family obligations.
The Oakers jumped out to an early lead when senior running back Gabe Williamson took a toss around the right end and raced 39 yards to the end zone on the second play from scrimmage. The two-point conversion was good, and Oakland led 8-0 with just one minute off the clock in the opening period.
The Oakers extended their lead to 14-0 with 1:28 left in the initial period when they scored on a six-yard run on a play where the running back who scored appeared to make a false start. Oakland went up 22-0 when they connected on a 65-yard bubble screen catch and run.
I.V. (2-4, 0-2) lost control of the game in the last few minutes before the half. After a long run gave the Oakers 1st-and-goal from the 5-yard line with two minutes left, scored Oakland on the next play to increase the lead to 28-0. On the Cougars first play from scrimmage after the touchdown, I.V. fumbled the ball and the Oakers returned the fumble 44 yards for a scoop and score. The 2-point conversion made it 36-0 and initiated the running clock for the remainder of the game.
The Cougars received the kick-off and after an incomplete pass, the subsequent play resulted in an interception return for touchdown, making the score 44-0 after another 2-point conversion.
Cougars coach Jonathan Reece, while disappointed with the loss, remained hopeful for the remainder of the season. “Tanner Brazil and Matt Ellis both ran the ball very well tonight. Hopefully, we get Zack back next week, although he is going to be day-to-day. We’ll definitely have the Arroyos back next week.”
I.V. hopes to get back on track when the Cougars travel to Reedsport for a 7 p.m. kick-off on Friday. The Brave are 3-3 on the year with a 1-1 league record.