Council Tops Ramblers 30-14, Win 3rd Straight District Championship
At the end of last season, Council lost a large group of talented seniors. A good amount of talent remained, but just how that might look was a bit of a question mark. To further complicate the question, the Long Pin League has been widely regarded this year as the deepest conference in the 1A classification. The road to the top would be an arduous one. The question of who would rise to the top was answered over the past few weeks as the Lumberjacks marched forward and through the competition en route to their third straight league/district title. Big wins over Tri Valley and Garden Valley set the stage and put them in the driver’s seat but one more win was needed to make it official. Next up on the Lumberjacks’ schedule was the Cascade Ramblers - a team that has surprised many this year, proving they are a team that you’d better be prepared to play. While Council has a bigger, more physical line, both teams have fast, talented skill position players. On the fifth play of the game, Owen Hatfield forced a fumble that was recovered by Remington Crowell. After a drive that consisted of 12 straight rushing attempts, Hatfield punched it in for the score. Council led 8-0. On Cascade’s second drive, it was a similar story. Wade Vining punched another ball loose and Wyatt Tharp recovered it. Council was in business again. After another rushing-dominated drive, Jim Tucker took it around the left side for a 12-yard score. Council was up 16-0. Council was heading for another score deep in Cascade territory when a turnover led to Cascade scoring with two seconds left in the half. Instead of Council leading potentially 24-0, the big momentum swing led to it now being 16-8 at the half. While Cascade kept it a game, Council eventually pulled away behind two more Hatfield rushing touchdowns. He finished with 265 rushing yards. Jim Tucker added 82 on the ground. Defensively, several Lumberjack defenders had good days. Wade Vining led with 8 tackles and a forced fumble. Jim Tucker had two 4th quarter interceptions, one of which was accidentally blown dead after the catch. It was unfortunate, because it appeared he was on his way for about an 85-yard pick six. Wyatt Tharp had 2 QB hits, 2 QB hurries, and a fumble recovery. Also, Tucker Laine added 2 QB hurries and Decker McLinn had 2 QB hits. Council ends the regular season this Friday against Salmon River in Riggins. Then, playoffs begin. Council has a bye for the first round. They will then hopefully host a playoff game, but either way they will play on Nov. 8 or 9 in the quarterfinals.
Passing: Owen Hatfield 3/5 for 65 yards
Receiving: Tucker Laine 1 for 32 Jim Tucker 1 for 21 Wyatt Tharp 1 for 12
Rushing: Owen Hatfield 32 for 265 (3TD) Jim Tucker 14 for 82 (1TD) Wade Vining 6 for 36 Decker McLinn 2 for 30
Tackles: Wade Vining 8, Owen Hatfield 6.5, Wyatt Tharp 3, Decker McLinn 2.5, Ayden Heinemeyer 2.5, Oscar Warner .5, Jim Tucker .5, Tucker Laine .5
Interceptions: Jim Tucker 2
Forced Fumbles: Wade Vining 1, Owen Hatfield 1
Fumble Recoveries: Remington Crowell 1, Wyatt Tharp 1
Tackles for Loss: Remington Crowell 1
Quarterback Hits: Wyatt Tharp 2, Decker McLinn 2
Quarterback Hurries: Tucker Laine 2, Wyatt Tharp 2, Remington Crowell 1
Passes Defended: Jim Tucker 1
