By Jeremy Lanthorn
Two of Oregon’s top six-man football teams met Saturday in Maupin, Oregon. The Devil Dogs of Sherman/Condon and the Maupin Redsides faced off on a beautiful spring Saturday. Last season in Moro the Devil Dogs came out on top, this year in Maupin the South Wasco County Redsides prevailed.
The Devil Dogs saw many incredible performances in a high paced, high scoring game: Braden Carnine had 159 yards on 15 carries with 3 trips to the end zone (10.6 yards per carry). Carnine was also 6-11 passing for 137 yards and another touchdown (296 total yards and 4 touchdowns).
With the Redsides focusing heavily on Carnine, Kole Martin was freed up to inflict some damage on the SWC defense. Martin gained 190 yards on twelve carries (15.8 yards per carry) with three touchdowns. Martin caught 3 passes for 79 yards (269 total yards) and another touchdown. Martin also had a 99 ½ yard interception return for a touchdown. When the dust settled Kole Martin put the ball in the end-zone five times.
Despite what the score might imply there was a solid defensive performance from the Devil Dogs. According to head coach Kyle Blagg, Logan Barrett and Fransisco Sanchez “both had outstanding games on defense. Fransisco made some big plays on pass defense and made some good plays against the run as well. Logan locked down his side at DE (Defensive End) and also locked down a receiver when they went [into the] spread [formation].”
It was an odd change to have the thumping of shoulder pads instead of the crack of a bat on a warm Saturday in March, but since it was exactly one year ago—Friday March 13th, 2020—when the governor sent kids home from school for the remainder of the year canceling all scholastic sports in the state for nearly a year; I’ll take any sport I can get, any time of the year I can get it.
Next up the Devil Dogs move home to Moro where they will face the Tigers of Dayville/Monument Friday March 19th at 7:00 PM. Bring on Friday Night Lights.