Council Tops Salmon River 64-26

Council traveled to Riggins for their final Long Pin League game of the year. While Salmon River put up a good fight, the Lumberjacks proved too much for the Savages, cruising to a 64-26 victory.

The Savages struck first but Council punched back, with Jim Tucker first on the board for Council on a 45-yard touchdown run. Tucker would finish the day with three TD’s - two rushing and one receiving.

Owen Hatfield followed Tucker’s first touchdown with a 76-yard run as Council’s scoring drives often happened quickly on big plays. Hatfield finished with 186 yards rushing on just 7 carries. He also went 6 for 6 passing, with two touchdowns and 4 conversions. The biggest one was a 55-yard dagger to Ayden Heinemeyer just before halftime.

Bryson Evans, playing his first game this season, proved his value quickly in a variety of ways. He had a 48-yard interception return near the end of the first half and then added a 55-yard onside kickoff return for a touchdown on the second half kickoff. He also forced a fumble, which was recovered by Wade Vining. Defensively, with starters Decker McLinn and Tucker Laine out for the majority of the contest, other players picked up the slack. Hatfield led the Lumberjacks with 13 tackles, followed closely by middle linebacker Wade Vining with 11.5. Ayden Heinemeyer added 7.5 and Oscar Warner, Wyatt Tharp, and Remington Crowell contributed 4.5 apiece. Crowell was a menace most of the game on the defensive line, totaling 3 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback hits, and 4 quarterback hurries to go along with his 4.5 tackles.

Council finishes the regular season with a 7-1 overall record (5-0 in league). As District 3 champions, they will have a first-round bye in the state playoffs. They will then host a quarterfinal playoff game on either Nov. 8 or 9.

Passing: Owen Hatfield 6/6 for 113 yards, 2TD, 4 conversions

Receiving: Ayden Heinemeyer 1 for 55 (1TD) Jim Tucker 3 for 52 (1TD, 2 conversions) Wyatt Tharp 2 for 6 (2 conversions)

Rushing: Owen Hatfield 7 for 186 (2TD) Jim Tucker 7 for 92 (2TD) Brody Clagg 9 for 57 (1TD) Bryson Evans 4 for 33 JR Conaway 4 for 5 Wade Vining 2 for 4 (1TD)

Tackles: Owen Hatfield 13, Wade Vining 11.5, Ayden Heinemeyer 7.5, Remington Crowell 4.5, Oscar Warner 4.5, Wyatt Tharp 4.5, Brody Clagg 3, Bryson Evans 2.5, Jim Tucker 1, Tucker Armichardy 1, James Yoakum 1, Tucker Laine .5, Tytan Short .5

Tackles for Loss: Remington Crowell 3, Ayden Heinemeyer 1.5, Wade Vining 1, Oscar Warner 1, Owen Hatfield .5

Forced Fumbles: Bryson Evans 1

Fumble Recoveries: Wade Vining 1

Interceptions: Decker McLinn 1, Bryson Evans 1 (48-yard return)

Passes Defended: Owen Hatfield 2, Wade Vining 1, Decker McLinn 1, Jim Tucker 1, Ayden Heinemeyer 1, Brody Clagg 1, Bryson Evans 1

Quarterback Hits: Remington Crowell 4

Quarterback Hurries: Remington Crowell 4, Wade Vining 1, Oscar Warner 1, Owen Hatfield 1

Kickoff Returns: Bryson Evans 1 for 55 (1TD

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