The word of the day for Estacada football is “reset.”
That is the beauty of high school ball. You can lose every preseason game (or give up nearly 250 yards to an opposing rusher) and still get into playoffs by coming alive during league play.
That is what the Rangers coaches, players and faithful keep reminding themselves after another lopsided loss.
Visiting Pendleton erupted on offense against Estacada, moving the ball at will on the ground and through the air. The Buckaroos scored on all but one drive, winning 52-28 Thursday evening, Sept. 26.
“We have seen the good, bad and ugly, but right now this is a new season,” Coach Andy Mott said. “We have hit the point where this has to reset, you still control your own destiny.”
For Estacada (1-4) senior running back Lincoln Rathmanner had a team-high 109 yards rushing with 2 TDs and a pair of two-point conversions; senior quarterback Carson Randall rushed for 99 yards and 2 TDs in only one half of play after getting hurt on a big hit; and junior running back Blake Barger added 68 yards on the ground.
Estacada also celebrated a pair of blocked extra-point kicks, by senior Thomas Seal and Barger.
For Pendleton (2-3) it was a night to remember for junior running back Tugg McQuinn, who had a jaw-dropping 249 yards rushing with 5 TDs. Senior quarterback Colson Primus threw for 203 yards, connecting with his favorite receiver senior Mason Strong for a pair of scores. Strong had 5 catches for 125 yards, and also added a third touchdown on the ground.
“We wanted a challenge in the preseason,” Mott said. “We have gotten better, and I hope we are ready to turn the corner in league.”
Rangers quarterback Randall went down in the waning seconds of the first half. He was out of his pads on the sideline for the rest of the contest, sporting a big ice pack on his shoulder and a sling. The hope is it is nothing worse than a bad bruise. Senior running back Elliott Coyle was also out against the Buckaroos.
“It is tough to take on an opponent like Pendleton when you are down players,” Mott said.
Next on the schedule is what feels like a must-win for the Rangers, as they travel to face The Dalles Friday, Oct. 4, in the first game of Tri-Valley Conference play.
“We are banged up, but we need our best on both sides of the ball,” Mott said. “We need to dig and scratch and claw to win these last games.”
“We have a lot of work to do,” he added.
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