Ryan Opie of Crane was named Player of the Year.

By Debbie Raney and Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

After helping his team qualify for the 1A OSAA state semi-finals football playoffs, Ryan Opie of Crane was named the Special District 6 player of the year.

Opie was selected for his contribution to the Mustang team as a quarterback, defensive back and kick returner, earning first-team honors for all three.

The Mustangs also had six other players named to the district first team. Cash Casey earned selection as an offensive guard and a defensive lineman, Tyler Opie was chosen for first team as a receiver and a defensive end, Nic Nyman was named to the first team for his play as an offensive guard and defensive end, Cole Maupin was selected as a running back, Wilson Witzel was picked as a first-team linebacker and Levi Miller was chosen as a receiver.

Four Crane athletes were also picked for second-team district honors. Greg Thompson was named as a running back, Maupin as a linebacker, Miller as defensive back and Nyman as kicker.

Honorable mention went to Donald McDermond as a center and Thompson as linebacker.

•••
The Eastern Oregon League (EOL) announced their All-League football teams, and several Hilanders received recognition for their performance on the field this past fall.

The all-league first-team offense included linemen Tyler Cooper and Austin Piper, and wide receiver Casey Heinz.

Tight end Dylan Stanwyck and runnng back Matson Gahley were both named to the second-team offense.

Receiving honorable mention were lineman Scott Lovelady and quarterback Seth Nonnenmacher.

On the defensive side, three Hilanders were named to the first team including Heinz as defensive back, Cooper as linebacker and Stanwyck as a lineman.

Named to the second team were lineman Piper and linebacker Beau Blackburn.

Tanner Crafts received honorable mention as a defensive back.

Cooper was also named first-team punter.

Lee Long of Nyssa was named the EOL Coach of the Year and Heinz received Co-Player of the Year honors.

•••
Five members of the Crane Union High School Mustang volleyball team were named to the High Desert League all-league teams.

Junior Hannah Steeves was selected as the league’s setter of the year.

First-team honors went to Paige Landon, with Morgan Corrigan and Cassidy Corrigan being selected for the league second team.

Rebekah Clark was chosen as an honorable mention.

•••
Athletes who participated in fall sports at Crane Union High School were honored by their coaches and fans last week.

Special awards and varsity and JV letters were presented to the students who competed in football, volleyball, soccer and rodeo.

Soccer
Varsity letters
Dan O’Crowley and Jacob Rothgeb.

Rodeo
Varsity letters
Jesse Northrop, Jesse Loper, Ryan Opie, Royal Henricks, Tyler Opie, Quinton Nyman, Hannah Buermann, Riley Joyce, Cash Casey, Paige Landon, Alycia Jenkins, Cody Lamb and Kenny Haworth.

Volleyball
Special awards
Most valuable: Team
Most improved: Team
Most inspirational: Katrina Valentine

Varsity letters
Tanya Williams, Morgan Corrigan, Shayla Lundy, Cassidy Corrigan, Rebekah Clark, Paige Landon, Hannah Steeves, Rebekah Titus, Emma Robertson, Kathleen Dickenson, Glennie Milburn and Katrina Valentine.
JV letters
Jaime Crume, Amanda Casey, Maria Thompson, Glory Schulze and Alix Culp.

Football
Special awards
Most valuable: Team
Most improved: Cash Casey and Tanner Titus
Most inspirational: Quinton Nyman

Varsity letters
Levi Miller, Cole Maupin, Nic Nyman, Ryan Opie, Thomas O’Toole, Tanner Titus, Tyler Opie, Greg Thompson, Wilson Witzel, Riley Joyce, Zach Cody, Donald McDermond, Quinton Nyman, Cody Lamb, Cash Casey, Blaise Schulze and Michael Casey.
JV letters
Nick Witzel, Jeff Davies, Clay Duckworth, Cody Berrett, Andy Lamborn, Andy Casey, Brent Pierzina, Austin Roath, Peter Neuschwander, Corbin Hammond, Travis Landon, Corey Jenkins and Tim Thomas.

•••
The Burns football, volleyball and cheerleading teams celebrated another successful fall sports season with their end-of-season awards ceremony on Monday, Dec. 5, at Burns High School.

Student-athletes were recognized for their achievements during the season and special awards were presented.

For the cheerleading squad, Michelle Ebar received the Captain’s Award, Courtney Carlon was named the Most Spirited, Caitie Newkirk was presented with the Safety Award, Erica Fritts received the Best Attitude award, Takara Jacobsen was named Most Improved and Ashtyn Gunderson was named Most Versatile.

The special award winners on the football team included:

Most Improved: Co-winners Tanner Crafts and Alex Theall
Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Dylan Stanwyck

Outstanding Linebacker: Tyler Cooper

Outstanding Defensive Back: Casey Heinz

Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Austin Piper
Outstanding Receiver: Casey Heinz
Outstanding Offensive back: Matson Gahley
Most Valuable: The entire Hilander team

The special award winners for the volleyball team, as voted on by players, are as follows:
Most Improved: Megan Lee
Most Inspirational: Maggie Thompson
Most Valuable: Co-winners Maddye Dinsmore and Abbey Fenton.

•••
The Burns/Crane soccer team held their season-end awards ceremony on Monday, Dec. 12, at Glory Days.
Head coach Jodi McLean introduced the players and presented letters and special awards.

Earning their letters this year were Bea Ribeiro, Miranda Carpenter, Jacob Nelson, Kortney Fritts, Bailey Johnston, Kallie McLean, Payden Paramore, Anna Reid, Dallin Johnson, Jacob Rothgeb, Dan O’Crowley, Kinnon Roy and manager Hannah Rowher.

Special award winners (voted on by the team) are as follows:
Best Underclassman: Miranda Carpenter
Most Improved: Jacob Nelson
Most Heart: Dallin Johnson
Most Inspirational: Dan O’Crowley
Most Valuable: Kinnon Roy

Vale wins team title with 3-0 record

The Hilanders’ Brennan Bailey takes his opponent’s shoulders to the mat. (Photo by RANDY PARKS)

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The Burns and Crane wrestling teams got their seasons under way by competing in the Woodfin-Robinson Memorial Dual Match Tournament at Burns High School on Friday, Dec. 2.

The Vale Vikings won the tournament by beating Burns 48-36 in the final dual between the two unbeatens.

“It was lot of fun,” Burns coach Mark Hofman said. “We’ve got some kids out there who have never wrestled before, and they’re only going to get better.”

Crane was a bit undermanned for the tournament because of injuries and the football team’s deep run into the state playoffs.

In the opening duals, Burns topped Lakeview 39-25, and Vale downed Crane 63-18.

In the second round, Burns beat Crane 60-24, and Vale defeated Lakeview 60-21.

In the final round, Lakeview beat Crane 51-18, and the Vikings came back from a 30-6 deficit to knock off Burns and take the first-place trophy.

Results for Burns and Crane are as follows:

Burns vs. Lakeview
120 — Connor Lysne (L) won by 5-3 decision over Thomas Cain (B)
126 — Zach Nelsen (B) won by forfeit
132 — Double forfeit
138 — Victor Kegley (B) won by forfeit
145 — Brennan Bailey won by fall over Tony Mungarro (L) 2:55
152 — Seth Nonnenmacher (B) won by fall over Dalton Alexander (L) 1:22
160 — Jay Lysne (L) won by 15-3 major decision over Matson Gahley (B)
170 — Jake White (B) won by fall over Aaron Hargis (L) 1:08
182 — Wyatt Duncan (B) won by 8-2 decision over Neil Sutfin (L)
195 — Scott Lovelady (B)  won by fall over Mike Cuff (L) :30
220 — Shane Newman (L) won by fall over Jordan Daugherty (B) :45
285 — Dylan Amerson (L) won by fall over Austin Piper (B) :46
106 — Double forfeit
113 — Matt Crandall (L) won by forfeit

Crane vs. Vale
120 — Austin Roath (C) won by forfeit
126 — Lane Cummings (V) won by 15-10 decision over Corey Jenkins (C)
132 — Wyatt Clark (C) won by fall over Juan Espinoza (V) 3:39
138 — Logan Boyle (V) won by forfeit
145 — Gabe Galicia (V) won by forfeit
152 — Ty Holloway (V) won by forfeit
160 — Daniel Estrada (V) won by fall over Tevi Silva (C) 1:44
170 — Danny Pozzi (V) won by forfeit
182 — Austin Tolman (V) won by forfeit
195 — Cody Wilcox (V) won by forfeit
220 — Caleb Van Amerige (V) won by fall over Brent Pierzina (C) :23
285 — Donald McDermond (C) won by fall over Kye Yraguen :16
106 — Kevin Munoz (V) won by fall over Jake Clark (C)
113 — Tyler Flint (V) won by forfeit

Burns vs. Crane
126 — Nelsen (B) won by forfeit
132 — Jenkins (C) won by forfeit
138 — Kegley (B) won by fall over W. Clark (C) 1:28
145 — Bailey (B) won by forfeit
152 — Nonnenmacher (B) won by forfeit
160 — Gahley (B) won by fall over Silva (C) :22
170 — Austin Ryder (B) won forfeit
182 — Lovelady (B) won by forfeit
195 — Double forfeit
220 — Daugherty (B) won by fall over Pierzina (C) 2:46
285 — McDermond (C) won by fall over Piper (B) 1:03
106 — Jake Clark (C) won by forfeit
113 — Double forfeit
120 — Cain (B) won by fall :26

Crane vs. Lakeview
132 — Jenkins (C) won by forfeit
138 — W. Clark (C) won by forfeit
145 — Mungarro (L) won by forfeit
152 — Alexander (L) won by forfeit
160 — Nathan Harlen (L) won by fall over Silva (C)
170 — Lysne (L) won by forfeit
182 — Hargis (L) won by forfeit
195 — Cuff (L) won by forfeit
220 — Newman (L) won by fall over Pierzina (C)
285 — McDermond (C) won by fall over Amerson (L)
106 — Double forfeit
113 — Crandall (L) won by 7-6 decision over J. Clark (C)
120 — Lysne (L) won by fall over Roath (C)
126 — Double forfeit

Burns vs. Vale
132 — Espinoza (V) won by fall over Nelsen (B) 1:19
138 — Kegley (B) won by fall over Boyle (V) 1:15
145 — Bailey (B) won by fall over Galicia (V) :40
152 — Nonnemacher (B) won by fall over Holloway (V) 5:03
160 — Gahley (B) won by fall over Estrada (V) 1:11
170 — White (B) won by fall over Pozzi (V) 2:16
182 — Tolman (V) won by fall over Duncan (B) 1:05
195 — Wilcox (V) won by fall over Lovelady (B) 5:07
220 — Van Amerige (V) won by fall over Daugherty (B) 1:00
285 — Yraguen (V) won by fall over Piper (B) 1:21
106 — Munoz (V) won by forfeit
113 — Flint (V) won by forfeit
120 — Tyson Nelsen (B) won by forfeit
126 — Cummings (V) won by fall over Cain (B) 2:36

•••
On Saturday, Dec. 3, the Hilander wrestlers competed in the COWO Invitational at Summit High School in Bend.

Bailey was the lone individual champion for Burns as he took the title at 145 pounds. Second place finishes went to Nonnenmacher at 152, Gahley at 160 and White at 170, and third places went to Duncan at 182 and Piper at 285.

Next up for the Hilanders is the Muilenberg Tournament in La Grande Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10.

The Mustangs’ defense ready for the snap under the lights at Summit High School. (Photo by DEBBIE RANEY)

Final TD scored with three seconds left in game

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

Two points — one two-point conversion — was the deciding factor in the semi-finals game between the Crane Mustangs and the Perrydale Pirates. With three seconds left in the game, the Pirates broke a 32-32 tie with a two-point conversion run by Tell Cruickshank, taking the 1A semi-final win and ending the Mustangs’ season, just one game short of the championship.

Playing in Bend at Summit High School, the Mustangs and the Pirates locked horns throughout the entire game, playing even all the way through four quarters.

Perrydale got the ball first in the game, with a Blaise Schulze kickoff taking them all the way back to their own eight. The Pirates used over eight minutes to get the ball to the Mustangs’ 25, before Tanner Titus and Nic Nyman forced a fumble, recovered for Crane by Nyman. The Mustangs had the ball on their own 49.

On Crane’s opening snap, Ryan Opie kept the ball and went down the right sideline, with blocking from Greg Thompson and Cole Maupin. Opie scored the first six of the game on the 51-yard run. The Mustangs’ conversion attempt failed.

Another strong kick by Schulze had the Pirates backed up to their own 4 to start their second offensive drive, and the first quarter ended during the possession.

Perrydale took another four minutes to move the ball to the Mustangs’ 3. Cruickshank tied the score 6-6 on a touchdown run, with Crane stopping the Pirates two-point conversion pass.

The Mustangs began their next possession on their own 36. Carries by Thompson and Maupin moved the ball to the 50. On a third and 8, Levi Miller broke free in the flats, 30 yards down field. R. Opie hit him with the pass and Miller ran in for the Mustangs’ second touchdown. The score stood 12-6, as Crane’s two-point conversion attempt failed.

Perrydale tied the score up again on the ensuing possession, with Cruickshank once again finishing the Pirates drive on a 2-yard run. The Mustangs kept the score tied at 12-12, as they stopped the conversion run.

With 1:37 on the second-quarter clock, the Pirates intercepted a R. Opie pass, taking over near mid-field. But two plays later, Maupin forced a fumble, which was recovered by Titus for the Mustangs on Perrydale’s 49. With 20 seconds left, T. Opie ran a crossing route and found himself all alone on the 25. R. Opie connected with his brother, and Crane went up 18-12. The Mustangs’ two-point conversion run was stopped.

The Mustangs opened up the third quarter on offense, but couldn’t get any momentum going. The Pirates took over on downs on their own 49. In four plays, the score was tied at 18-18, with a 1-yard Cruickshank run. R. Opie batted down the conversion pass, keeping the score even.

The beginning of the fourth quarter had Perrydale knocking on the door to score again at the 7-yard line. R. Opie picked off a pass at the goal line, and ran the interception back to the 37. Wilson Witzel, R. Opie Maupin and Thompson carried the ball to the Pirates’ 22. Facing a fourth and inches, Crane stacked the middle, with Perrydale lined up to stop the run. T. Opie came off the right side, ran across to the left, caught a pass in mid-stride and went untouched in for the score. For the first time in the game, the Mustangs were able to pick up the extra two on a conversion pass from R. Opie to Miller, and the Mustangs took a 26-18 lead.

Perrydale then answered back on their next possession with a 33 yard touchdown run by Cruickshank. The Pirates, too, were successful on the conversion, with Josh Hiebenthal running it in. With 7:28 left in the game, the score was tied once again at 26-26.

Two minutes later, the Mustangs regained the lead. Starting at their own 39, Crane went 58 yards in seven plays, and were on the Pirates’ 3. Working from the shotgun, R. Opie took the snap, and ran straight ahead through a wide-open front line. The conversion pass failed, and Crane was ahead 32-26.

In spite of repeated quarterback pressure from Witzel and Thompson, stops at the line of scrimmage by Nyman and Cash Casey and pass coverage by R. Opie and Miller, Perrydale used the remaining five minutes of the game to push the ball from their own 36 to Crane’s 7-yard line. With 3.8 seconds left in the game, Corbin Reed passed to Hiebenthal to tie the score at 32-32. The game-winning two-point conversion had Cruickshank adding three more yards to his stats, as he busted straight ahead and dove in, picking up the deciding two points.

The Pirates will go on to play for the 1A championship against Camas Valley, this Saturday in Cottage Grove.

1    2    3    4   Final
Cra      6   12   0   14    32
Per      0   12   6   16    34

First quarter
Cra — R. Opie 51 run (run failed) 3:23.
Second quarter
Per — Cruickshank 3 run (run failed) 8:35.
Cra — Miller 50 pass from R. Opie (run failed) 6:18.
Per — Cruickshank 1 run (run failed) 2:32.
Cra — T. Opie 47 pass from R. Opie (run failed)
Third quarter
Per — Cruickshank 1 run (pass failed) 8:01.
Fourth quarter
Cra — T. Opie 21 pass from R. Opie (Miller pass from R. Opie) 9:33.
Per — Cruickshank 33 run (Hibenthal run) 7:28.
Cra — R. Opie 3 run (pass failed) 5:15.
Per — Hiebenthal 7 pass from Reed (Cruickshank run) .03.

Individual statistics
RUSHING — Mustangs: R. Opie 11/69, Maupin 11/34, Thompson 5/27, Witzel 3/9; Pirates: Cruickshank 44/237, Hiebenthal 10/80; Reed 5/-19.
PASSING — Mustangs: R.Opie 9/17/1/158; Pirates: Reed 12/17/1/185.
RECEIVING — Mustangs: T. Opie 4/85, Miller 3/81, Thompson 1/4, Maupin 1/1, R. Opie 0/-3; Pirates: Hiebenthal 6/100, Cruickshank 4/46, Dunn 2/39.

Photo by DEBBIE RANEY
Above: The Mustang defense on the line against the Sherman Huskies. Below: Donald McDermond celebrates Crane’s victory.

By Debbie Raney Burns Times-Herald
Four have now moved on. Crane, Perrydale, Camas Valley and Triad are the final four teams remaining in the hunt for the 1A state football title.
The OSAA semi-final games will be played this Saturday at Summit High School in Bend. The first game will pit Camas Valley and Triad, with kickoff at noon. The second game will have the Crane Mustangs playing the Perrydale Pirates, with kickoff at 4 p.m.

To earn advancement into the semi-finals, the Mustangs defeated the Sherman Huskies, 34-28, in the quarter-finals on Nov. 19.
The first period of the quarter-finals were a defensive brawl and a battle for control between Crane and Sherman. The teams both had possession two times in the opening 12 minutes. Crane put an end to the Huskies two drives with a fumble recovered by Levi Miller and a possession change on downs.

The Mustangs had a drive stopped by an interception, and were on offense for their second try as the first quarter ended.
On the first play of the second quarter, the Mustangs found the end zone for their first points on a 22-yard run by Ryan Opie. The conversion attempt was thwarted, and the score was 6-0.

The Huskies had the ball for nearly six minutes on their next drive, and managed to move the ball only 21 total yards. In spite of getting two first downs, Sherman moved backwards on penalties and tackles for loss by Crane’s Wilson Witzel, Greg Thompson and Opie.
The Mustangs took over on downs and began their next possession on their own 45.

The first snap had Opie drop back and pass to Miller in a crossing route, just five yards off the line of scrimmage. Miller was a step ahead of the defense and sprinted all the way to the end zone for the Mustangs’ second touchdown. Once again, Crane failed to get the conversion points, and the score was 12-0.

A run back on the ensuing kick off by Sherman’s Kyle Burnett gave the Huskies prime field position on Crane’s 47. In seven plays the Huskies had a first-and-10 on the 11. A pass from Riley Brown to Burnett put Sherman on the scoreboard. The Huskies were able to convert the two-points, and closed the score to 8-12, with 21 seconds left in the first half.

Sherman helped the Mustangs begin their next possession at mid-field, attempting an onside kick. Crane got on the kick and had 20 seconds to go 43 yards. After a 26-yard pass from R. Opie to Tyler Opie, the Mustangs lined up with trips to the left. R. Opie again stepped back to pass, and the Huskies bit on the three receivers to the left, leaving a now-eligible Nic Nyman all alone on the right side of the field. Nyman pulled down the pass and went in for the Mustangs’ third touchdown, and a halftime score of 18-8.

Crane kicked to the Huskies to begin the third quarter. A stop by Cash Casey on the kick had Sherman backed up to their 10-yard line. The drive ended with a tackle for loss by Cole Maupin, Sherman punted to the Mustangs.

From their own 46, Crane needed only three plays to score another TD. Greg Thompson got the first yards and then Maupin pounded the ball through the middle behind Donald McDermond to the 5-yard line. R. Opie finished the possession with a touchdown run, followed up with a conversion run. With the clock at 7:49 in the third, the score was 26-8.

The Huskies did not give up. Beginning the next drive on their own 25, Sherman picked up three first downs by effort and one by a Crane penalty, and had moved the ball to the Mustang’s 1-yard line. One final push through the middle and Sherman closed the score to 26-14 to begin the fourth.

After intercepting a Mustang pass, the Huskies had the ball on Crane’s 35.

In spite of tackles behind the line of scrimmage by Casey and Nyman, Sherman pushed the ball down the field, and scored on a 4-yard run. With 9:26 left in the game, the score had Crane leading 26-20.

Another onside kick by Sherman gave the Mustangs the chance to begin their next possession on the Huskies’ 49. But, three penalties before Crane could get a play off moved the Mustangs all the way back to the 26. Carries by Maupin and R. Opie, and another pass to Nyman brought the ball back to the 48. R. Opie found his brother all alone on a 4th-and-9. T.

Opie caught the ball on the 25 and went untouched in for the Mustangs’ final touchdown. Crane added another two on a R. Opie run, and with 7:20 left in the game, the score was 34-20.

The Huskies answered back in less than a minute, scoring on a 19-yard run through the middle of the Mustangs defense. With a successful two-point run, Sherman squeezed the score back to 34-28.

It was then a matter of using up the clock and keeping possession for the Mustangs. With Thompson, Maupin and R. Opie eating up the yards on the ground and in the air, the Mustangs were at the Huskies’ 30, looking at a 4th-and-6, with over two minutes on the clock. R. Opie dropped back to pass, found no one open and scrambled to the left side of the field. T. Opie came back from his route downfield and took out the last potential tackler, giving Crane the first down and the opportunity to keep possession of the ball through the last two minutes of play.

1    2    3    4    Final
Cra      0   18   8    8       34
Sher    0    8    6   14      28

Hilanders beat Willamina in final match

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

When the OSAA Class 3A state volleyball tournament  ended, Burns was right where they wanted to be — holding the championship trophy.
The Hilanders won the title by downing Willamina 25-18, 25-16, 25-16 in the championship match held at Lane Community College in Eugene.

“I think getting to the title this year was a great accomplishment for these kids.

They had some injuries and other obstacles that they had to overcome in order to gain their confidence to win,” Burns coach Paula Toney said. “Our prior times of state championships  helped the coaching staff prepare the team Saturday to get ready for their experience and play up to their potential.”

In the opening game, the two teams traded points until Burns went up 5-4 and Tanzie Bodeen stepped to the serving line. The Hilanders then scored five straight points, a run that included kills by Charli Siegner and Abbey Fenton.

Burns then took a 12-6 lead on a block by Siegner, and went on a 6-0 run with Brittainy Houck serving.
Burns stretched the lead to 23-12 before Willamina got on a little run of their own and closed to within 23-17.
Burns then scored two of the next three points to get the win.

Kayla McConnell served three aces to start the second game and help Burns to a 4-0 lead.
The Bulldogs hung tough however, staying with Burns  until the Hilanders led 13-11. Burns then scored four straight points, a run that included kills by Siegner and Fenton, to go up 17-11.

The Hilanders eventually went ahead 24-16 and the match ended on a service error by Willamina.
Burns kept rolling to start the third game, building a 9-3 lead, including three kills by Fenton.
Burns built the lead to 21-13, and outscored the Bulldogs 4-3 to win the 2011 state title.

Burns recorded 36 kills in the match, led by Fenton with 19. Siegner added another 10, Houck five and Maddye Dinsmore two.
Dinsmore was stellar in her performance as setter, recording 31 assists.
Burns also finished with 35 digs, led by Fenton with 11 and Bodeen with nine.

Fenton and Willamina’s Chelsea Moser were named the ODS Players of the Match in the finals.
Dinsmore and Fenton were both named to the First All-Tournament Team.

“The keys to winning were getting the girls to gain trust in each other and create the attitude that they could win by playing tough defense one ball at a time,” Toney said. “Volleyball is a game of mistakes. The girls were able to let go of a mistake and come back the next play. Overall, the girls learned that determination can lead to success even as obstacles continue to try to get in their path.”

Burns vs. Blanchet Catholic

Burns overcame a bit of a shaky start in the semi-finals to defeat Blanchet Catholic in four games, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-17.
The Cavaliers took advantage of several Hilander miscues in the first game to jump out to a 9-1 lead.
Burns battled back, tying the score at 11-11, only to see Blanchet go up again 18-12.
Another Hilander rally tied the score at 19-19, and Burns took their first lead of the game at 21-20.

The teams then traded points to 23-23, and the Cavaliers scored twice to grab the win.
Burns trailed much of the second game until coming back to tie the game at 21-21 on a Siegner ace. Three kills by Fenton helped Burns to a 5-3 run and the win.

The Hilanders started well in the third game, getting out to a 10-4 lead. They maintained a lead of at least four until the score reached 19-13.
Blanchet then cut the lead to one at 20-19 and rallied to tie the game at 23-23. A sideout put Burns up by one and Dinsmore slammed a kill shot to give Burns the victory.

Burns carried the momentum from the third game right into the fourth game where they burst out to a 16-4 lead, aided by five Fenton kills.
A Siegner kill, a Dinsmore tip shot and an ace by Siegner helped Burns build a 23-12 lead, and they then went on to win the game and advance to the championship.

Burns vs. Cascade Christian

The Hilanders opened up the tournament by sweeping Cascade Christian in three games, 25-22, 25-17, 25-10.
The Challengers stayed with the Hilanders for much of the first game, but Burns built a 20-15 lead and went on to get the win.
The Hilanders maintained a slim lead throughout the early part of the second game, but then slowly began to pull away, with McConnell’s ace giving them a 17-9 lead.

Cascade Christian got to within four at 18-14, but the Hilanders again pulled away and finished off the Challengers.
Burns controlled the third game from the start, taking a 13-2 lead and never looking back. Burns biggest lead came at 20-6, and they coasted to the win.

Fenton finished with 16 of the team’s 28 kills and Houck added another eight.
Fenton also led the team in aces with five, Dinsmore chalked up 26 assists and Bodeen and McConnell were team leaders in digs with seven and six, respectively.

Looking back on how the season evolved, Toney said, “It was really fun to watch this group of girls work through some of their struggles and watch them transform from individuals on the court at the beginning of the season into a full ‘all in’ team effort to win. They really transformed into a team from beginning to end.”

Burns and Nyssa play this Friday for EOL title

Beau Blackburn brings down Vale’s Jake Clark in the Hilanders’ win. (Photo by RANDY PARKS)

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The streak is over.

For more than a decade, the Vale Vikings had come away as winners when they met the Hilanders on the gridiron. That streak came to a screeching halt Friday, Oct. 28, as Burns ran roughshod over the Vikings, winning 49-0 to improve to 4-0 in Eastern Oregon League (EOL) play.

The Hilanders racked up 532 yards of total offense, including 376 yards on the ground.

The Burns defense was also on top of their game, limiting the Vikings to 178 yards, and recording 15 tackles for a loss.

Burns got on the scoreboard on their very first possession, driving 65 yards in eight plays to go up 6-0.

Nolan Stampke raced in from 17 yards out for the score, his first of three touchdowns in the game.

Burns defense forced Vale to punt on their first possession, but the Hilanders fumbled on first down and Vale had the ball back at their own 46.

The Vikings offense sputtered however, and Burns took over on downs at the Vale 49. It took just two plays for Burns to find the end zone, as Stampke threw to Casey Heinz for a 47-yard gain and Matson Gahley bulled his way in from the 2 for the score.

Gahley also ran in the 2-point conversion for a 14-0 Burns lead.

Two fumbles and a turnover on downs ended the Hilanders’ next three possessions, but they upped the lead to 20-6 on a 9-yard scoring run by Austin Feist with 46 seconds left in the half.

After forcing the Vikings out on downs in the first possession of the second half, the Hilanders took over at their own 46. Faced with a third-and-2, Stampke broke free and raced 46 yards down the sideline to give Burns a 26-0 lead.

The Hilanders’ defense then forced a Viking’s punt and Burns took over at midfield. On first down, Gahley galloped 42 yards to set up first-and goal, and Stampke finished off the drive with a fourth-down, 3-yard scoring run.

Starting at their 27 on their next possession, the Hilanders put together a five-play scoring drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Stampke to Heinz.

The final score of the night came with less than two minutes to play, when back-up quarterback Seth Nonnenmacher lofted a pass to Feist, who outran the Vikings’ secondary for a 74-yard score.

Stampke hit on five of 11 passes for 82 yards and finished with 169 yards rushing on 12 carries. Gahley also went over the century mark running the ball, picking up 147 yards on 13 attempts.

The Vikings’ Josh Schoorl went 7-for-17, throwing the ball for just 71 yards and one interception. Jake Clark led Vale in rushing, gaining 57 yards on 20 carries.

The last time Burns beat Vale was in the semi-finals of the 1999 3A state football playoffs. Vale won the regular season game 28-7 over Burns, but the Hilanders downed the Vikings 20-0 in the playoff game held in Baker City.

In other EOL action on Oct. 28, Nyssa thumped Grant Union 58-12 and Umatilla defeated Riverside 42-24.

Burns and Nyssa, both 4-0 in league play, meet Friday, Nov. 4, in Nyssa, to decide the EOL title. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (MT).

Other EOL games on Nov. 4, include Vale at Riverside and Grant Union at Umatilla.

1    2    3    4   Final
Val       0    0    0    0       0
Bur     14   6   14  15      49

First quarter
Bur — Stampke 7 run (kick failed) 2:38
Bur — Gahley 2 run (Gahley run) 8:59
Second quarter
Bur — Feist 9 run (pass failed) 11:14
Third quarter
Bur — Stampke 46 run (pass failed) 3:27
Bur — Stampke 3 run (Gahley run) 7:55
Fourth quarter
Bur — Heinz 10 pass from Stampke (Gahley run) 0:05
Bur — Feist 74 pass from Nonnenmacher (Stampke kick) 10:17
Individual statistics
RUSHING—Vale, Clark 20-57, Schoorl 10-(-13), Eddy 7-52, Montgomery 2-(-3), Cummings 2-14. Burns, Gahley 13-147,Feist 8-51, Stampke 12-169, Heinz 4-11, Garner 1-0, Nonnenmacher 1-(-2).
PASSING—Vale, Schoorl 7-17-1 71. Burns, Stampke 5-11-0 82, Nonnenmacher 1-1-0 74.
RECEIVING—Vale, Ramos 2-23, Montgomery 1-5, Pozzi 1-10, Clark 3-15, Eddy 1-18. Burns, Heinz 3-58, Bailey 2-24, Feist 1-74.

By Randy Parks

The Hilanders’ Abbey Fenton recorded double-digit kills against all three EOL opponents last week. (Photo by RANDY PARKS)

Burns Times-Herald

The Hilanders wrapped up another Easten Oregon League (EOL) volleyball title by downing both Riverside and Umatilla on Saturday, Oct. 22.

The two wins give Burns a perfect 9-0 record in EOL play, with their final match set for Thursday, Oct. 27, when they host Nyssa.

Burns opened up their doubleheader day with a trip to Boardman to face the Riverside Pirates.

The Hilanders made short work of the Pirates, sweeping them in three games, 25-5, 25-11, 25-10.

Burns notched 36 kills in the match, led by Abbey Fenton with 16 and Brittainy Houck with nine. Charli Siegner added another six, Maddye Dinsmore and Dominique Orr two apiece and Erika Bentz one.

The Hilanders recorded 14 aces, led by Dinsmore with eight and Siegner with three.

Dinsmore also finished with 25 assists.

Of the team’s 30 digs, Fenton had seven and Tanzie Bodeen six.

Following the Riverside match, Burns traveled to Umatilla, where they took down the Vikings in three games, 25-15, 25-6, 25-6.

Fenton again led the team in kills, finishing with 25 of the team’s 39. Houck had 10, and Bentz and Dinsmore two each.

Dinsmore and Fenton each had six aces and Kayla McConnell had one.

Dinsmore was the team leader in assists with 31 and Orr added another three.

Burns also came up with 32 digs, led by Bodeen with 13 and McConnell six.

•••
After dropping the first game 18-25, Burns bounced back to win the next three 25-23, 25-18, 25-18, for a 3-1 win over Vale on Thursday,  Oct. 20.

Fenton led the Hilanders’ offensive attack, pounding out 26 of the team’s 46 kills. Houck added another nine, Siegner five,  Dinsmore four and Orr two.

Burns served up three aces, two by Dinsmore and Siegner one.

Dinsmore also recorded 36 assists.

Defensively, Burns had eight blocks, including three each by Fenton and Orr, one apiece for Houck and Dinsmore.

The Hilanders also came up with a season-high 75 digs in the match, led by Bodeen with 18. Dinsmore had 16, McConnell 15, Fenton 12, Houck nine and Siegner five.

By Debbie Raney

The Mustangs’ Paige Landon powers a kill shot over the net. (Photo by DEBBIE RANEY)

Burns Times-Herald

The Crane Mustang volleyball team got another league win under their belt, with a victory over the Burnt River Bulls last Friday. With the win, Crane upped their High Desert League record to 6-1, with three league opponents left to play — Adrian, Long Creek and Prairie City.

In Friday’s win, Crane took the match against Burnt River in three games — 26-16, 25-19, 26-24.

The Mustangs trailed early in the first game, but at a score of 6-9, Rebekah Clark took the serve for Crane and put the Mustangs into a 13-9 lead. With kills from Paige Landon and a block-kill by Cassidy Corrigan, Crane held the lead all the way to a score of 19-16. Hannah Steeves aced two serves to spread the Mustang advantage, and one final Landon kill sealed the game.

Crane led all the way through game two, as they racked up eight aces serves as a team. C. Corrigan hit four aces for the Mustangs and Landon, Steeves, Morgan Corrigan and Tanya Williams downed one ace apiece.

A nine-point run for Burnt River at the top of the third game put the Mustangs into a hole, but they were able to slowly climb out. Still trailing at 7-16, Katrina Valentine went to servers position and started Crane’s comeback. With kills from Landon and C. Corrigan, and an ace serve thrown in the mix, Valentine brought the Mustangs back to within two, 15-17. Crane stayed within two points to a 20-22 score, and then back-to-back ace serves by C. Corrigan tied the game up. M. Corrigan snuck a tip-kill to the floor for the Mustangs first lead of the game, and then Steeves aced the game- and match-winning point.

Crane’s final three league games will be played this week. The Mustangs will host Adrian at noon on Thursday, and then play Long Creek and Prairie City in Prairie City on Friday.

Hilanders on the road this Friday to face Pirates

Seth Nonnenmacher follows his blockers downfield for a big gain against Umatilla. (Photo by RUTHIE’S IN HIS IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY)

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

Burns got back on the winning track Friday, Oct. 7,  steamrolling the Umatilla Vikings 48-7 in the Eastern Oregon League (EOL) opener for both teams.

The Hilanders racked up 419 yards of total offense, while holding Umatilla to just 165 yards of total offense, including just 54 on the ground.

Sophomore quarterback Seth Nonnenmacher, filling in for the injured Nolan Stampke, gave Burns a 7-0 first quarter lead as he capped off a 54-yard scoring drive with an 8-yard touchdown run.

After forcing the Vikings out on downs, Burns had to punt the ball away, giving Umatilla a first down at their own 25. A 44-yard pass completion moved the Vikings into Hilander territory and five plays later, the Vikings tied the game on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Andreas Sanguino to Emanuel Chavez.

The Hilanders wasted no time reclaiming the lead, putting together a 65-yard scoring drive. Matson Gahley rushed for 40 yards on four carries during the drive, including the final four yards to put Burns ahead 13-7.

Umatilla fumbled the ball away on the first play of their next possession, giving the Hilanders a first down at the Umatilla 19. Nonnenmacher then broke loose for the score, making it a 21-7 Hilander lead.

Late in the first half, it appeared Burns scored on a blocked punt, but the Hilanders were flagged for roughing the kicker, giving Umatilla another set of downs at their own 35. On third-and-four, Dylan Stanwyck dropped Umatilla’s Kile Wilson for a 3-yard loss, and the Vikings had to punt.

Casey Heinz gave the Hilanders one more scoring chance as he returned the punt 36 yards to the Umatilla 29 with less than 30 seconds to go in the half. Nonnenmacher completed a 27-yard pass to Stanwyck, but Burns was unable to punch it in to the end zone before time expired.

On the first drive of the second half, the Hilanders went 46 yards in four plays to take a 27-7 lead.

Nonnenmacher picked up the first 14 yards, Austin Feist gained another nine, Heinz rushed for 12 and Brennan Bailey finished off the drive with an 11-yard run.

Burns got the ball right back when Tanner Crafts recovered the onside kick, giving the Hilanders the ball at the Umatilla 44.

After an 8-yard loss on first down, Feist ripped off a 23-yard run, and three plays later, Heinz took it in from 10 yards out. Stampke, playing with a heavily-wrapped right hand, scored the 2-point conversion to put Burns up 35-7.

Umatilla turned the ball over on their next possession as Austin Piper recovered a fumble, giving Burns the ball at the Vikings’ 34.

Six plays later, Heinz scored on a 6-yard run and Stampke’s extra point kick put Burns ahead 42-7, with 4:49 left to go in the third quarter.

The Hilanders tacked on one more touchdown with less than five minutes to play, when Stampke scored from five yards out to finish off a 62-yard drive.

Nonnenmacher completed 11-of-16 passes for 119 yards and one interception, and rushed for another 53 on 11 carries.

Feist led the team in rushing, picking up 80 yards on eight carries, while Gahley finished with 76 yards on 14 attempts.

Heinz was the leading receiver for Burns, hauling in six passes for 42 yards, and he added another 62 yards rushing on nine carries.

For Umatilla, Sanguino completed 7-of-19 passes for 111 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

Chavez was the Vikings’ leading rusher, picking up 17 yards on 13 carries.

With the win, the Hilanders even their season record at 3-3, but more importantly, are 1-0 in league play.

Burns continues EOL play on Friday, Oct. 14, when they travel to Boardman to face the Riverside Pirates.

In other EOL games on Oct. 7, Grant Union beat Riverside 47-12 and Nyssa blanked Vale 52-0.

1    2    3    4   Final
Uma    7    0    0     0      7
Bur     7   14   21    6    48

First quarter
Bur — Nonnenmacher 8 run (Stampke kick) 9:25
Second quarter
Uma — Sanchez 15 pass from Sanguino (Kennedy kick) 3:43
Bur — Gahley 4 run (kick failed) 6:56
Bur — Nonnenmacher 19 run (Gahley run) 7:30
Third quarter
Bur — Bailey 11 run (kick failed) 1:30
Bur — Heinz 10 run (Stampke run) 3:58
Bur — Heinz 6 run (Stampke kick) 7:11
Fourth quarter
Bur — Stampke 5 run (kick failed) 9:43
Individual statistics
RUSHING—Umatilla, Chavez 13-17, Williams 4-12, Sanguino 7-(-5), Wilson 4-6, Kennedy 3-12, Bernal 1-1, Flores 1-1. Burns, Gahley 14-76, Feist 8-80, Heinz 9-62, Nonnenmacher 11-53, Bailey 4-19, Cain 1-5, Stampke 1-5.
PASSING—Umatilla, Sanguino 7-19-1 111. Burns, Nonnenmacher 11-16-1 119.
RECEIVING—Umatilla, Vandever 2-47, Wilson 2-22, Chavez 1-15, Chewning 1-16, Kennedy 1-11. Burns, Heinz 6-42, Bailey 2-22, Feist 2-28. Stanwyck 1-27.

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

Cole Maupin evades a tackler in Crane’s league win over Jordan Valley. (Photo by DEBBIE RANEY)

The Crane Mustangs held the Jordan Valley Mustangs scoreless, and racked up another High Desert League win in the process on Sept. 30. Even with three touchdowns called back because of penalties, Crane defeated Jordan Valley (JV) 54-0.

Crane had their share of mistakes in the game, beginning with a lost fumble on the opening snap. It took over seven minutes for Crane to get the cobwebs out, but they finally found the end zone on a Ryan Opie 19-yard scramble at 4:39.

Crane immediately got the ball back, as Tanner Titus recovered a JV fumble that was knocked loose by Tyler Opie on JV’s 29. Cole Maupin carries and JV penalties moved the Crane line of scrimmage to the four. R. Opie followed Donald McDermond and Nic Nyman through JV’s gut, scoring with 2:18 on the clock. Levi Miller pulled in a two-point pass, and Crane led 14-0.

The first quarter came to a close with JV going backward on Titus, Nyman, T. Opie and Wilson Witzel tackles.

Crane’s first possession in the second ended with a four-and-out, deep in JV territory, but quarterback pressure from Riley Joyce set up a R. Opie interception three snaps later, and Crane went back on offense.

Maupin picked up 32 yards in four carries, setting up Crane’s line of scrimmage on the 8-yard line. A reverse from Maupin to Miller and a downfield block by R. Opie, put another six on the board for Crane. At 5:23 the score was 20-0.

On the next series, JV found that Miller could hold his own on defense as well, as he pulled down an interception on the second play. Crane had the ball on JV’s 30. Two snaps and two penalties later, Crane had gone backward to the 38. Crane’s offensive line gave R.Opie a ton of time on third and long.

He found T. Opie outrunning two defenders down the right side. The pass was on the  money and T. Opie went in for another score. R. Opie ran in the two point, and Crane was up 28-0.

After a kickoff stop by Austin Roath and Blaise Schulze on the 40, JV found no where to go, and were forced to punt. Crane got the ball back with just under 40 seconds left to play in the second quarter.

Coming under center on the JV 34, R. Opie dropped back to pass to T. Opie again, this time down the left side of the field. T. Opie had once again gotten beyond the JV defenders, and went in for another touchdown. Travis Landon scored on a reverse for the 2-point conversion, and Crane took a 36-0 lead into the half.

JV’s first possession of the third quarter ended with a punt, giving Crane great field position on their own 45. Following a Maupin run with a JV penalty attached, Crane was on JV’s 6. Two Greg Thompson carries finished up the drive, and Crane put six more points on the board, leading 42-0.

Titus and Joyce recorded tackles for loss on JV’s next possession, and Crane once again took over deep in JV territory. From the 18, Miller crossed left to right, all alone 10-yards deep. He went to the end zone untouched, taking the score to 48-0, and sending the game to running time.

The remainder of the game was played by Crane’s junior varsity offense, led by Landon at quarterback. On the first snap Landon took, he handed the ball to fellow freshman Jeff Davies, at JV’s 4-yard line. Davies went left in for the score, and Crane got the final points of the game, for a 54-0.

JV tried to go to the air on their final possession, hoping to get on the scoreboard, but on their fifth play, Davies stepped in front of the intended receiver and pulled down an interception.

Crane will play at home this weekend, hosting Dayville-Monument on Valentine Field for the 2011 homecoming game. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m.

1    2     3    4   Final
Cra     14   22   12   6    54
JV        0    0     0    0     0

First quarter
Cra — R. Opie 19 run (run failed) 4:39
Cra — R. Opie 4 run (Miller pass from R. Opie) 2:18
Second quarter
Cra — Miller 8 run (run failed) 5:23
Cra — T. Opie 30 pass from R. Opie (R.Opie run) 3:08
Cra — T. Opie 34 pass from R. Opie (Landon run) .27
Third quarter
Cra — Thompson 2 run (pass failed) 7:56
Cra — Miller 18 pass from R. Opie (run failed)
Fourth quarter
Cra — Davies 4 run (pass failed) 10:50

Crane individual statistics
RUSHING—Maupin 12-105, R. Opie 8-18, Thompson 8-28, Miller 1-8, Davies 2-5, Landon 2-(-2)
PASSING—R. Opie 13/6/0/126, Landon 2/1/0/26
RECEIVING—Miller 3-102, Hammond 1-26, Landon 1-3, Miller 2-21.
INTERCEPTIONS—Miller 1, R. Opie 1, Davies 1.