Cards Take Tough Loss Against Orofino

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg-Prescott and Orofino fought it out in Waitsburg Friday night, but the Cardinals came out on the short end of a 48-46 offensive showdown. The Cards took a 38-28 lead into the fourth quarter, but a struggling defense, hobbled by injuries, gave up three straight touchdowns and couldn't recover.

Chance Leroue and Talen Larsen both suffered leg injuries in the third quarter, putting a strain on an already tired defense.

"With Chance and Larsen out, we had trouble in that fourth quarter and we just did not communicate with each other," said WP Coach Jeff Bartlow. "I believe we win with them healthy."

The teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter, with WP taking a 14-12 lead after one. After an early Maniac score, Leroue punched the ball in from the two for the first score. After Orofino responded with another TD, Owen Lanning ran the ensuing kickoff 71 yards for the Cardinals' second touchdown.

In the second quarter, WP executed a brilliant fake punt, with Luke Alexenko running the ball in from 48 yards out.

"Our special teams could have won us the game," Bartlow said. "With an executed fake punt for a TD and a KOR for a TD along with a 4th quarter KOR ( Jada Alfred) that went 60 plus yards to kicking a FG and all six extra points (by Antonio Bonito) and then executing the onside kick. Our special teams was probably the best performance of any game I have coached in.

After ending the first half tied at 28, Quarterback Jacob Dunn hit Jada Alfred on an 11 yard pass. Benito followed with a 33-yard field goal.

After falling behind late in the game, Devin Acevedo made it close, scoring on a 12-yard pass reception from Dunn.

For the game, Dunn was 21 of 43 passing, for 225 yards. He threw two interceptions. The cardinals had only 59 yards rushing against a stifling Maniac defense.

Things don't get easier for WP next week, as they take to the road against Heppner, Ore.

"Heppner, 3-0 and ranked in the top five in Oregon, will present a lot of problems for us," Bartlow said. "We will need to play much, much better this FridaytogetaWontheroad. Thisisthebestteamwe will face all year."