Cougar Sports in Brief
From our weekly issue dated October 22, 2008
Gridders Ready To Win
With Hidden Valley scoring in the first minute and last minute during a 40-3 victory, the Illinois Valley High School homecoming game was less than joyful.
Despite the Skyline Conference loss on Friday night, Oct. 17, Cougar head football coach Ray Yarbrough gave his players much credit for their efforts. He noted that he and his fellow coaches had “put a lot of pressure” on the team because of wanting to make the playoffs.
He added that, “It’s also important to remember that high school football is supposed to be fun.” He continued that, “We were down some players, and we had some kids playing who hadn’t been in a game before.
“Our back-up quarterback, Jacob Nichols, did a fine job, but unfortunately he had a knee injury in the first quarter.
“He was filling in for starting quarterback Roger Hults, who was sick all week, but went into the game in the second half. Roger was able to get us some yards because of his experience.
“And in a small school like ours there’s no such thing as a third-string quarterback.”
The coach said that despite the Cougar efforts, the Mustangs (6-1, 3-0) simply got too far ahead, as they scored in all four quarters with 14, 13, 7 and 6 respectively. I.V.’s field goal, a 33-yarder by Sam Winter, was in the first quarter. It was set up by a 61-yard pass play with Antonio Escalante snagging the ball.
HV remains in first place in the conference. I.V. is at 1-2 in the Skyline; 1-7 overall.
Yarbrough said that the next contest will determine whether the Cougars make the playoffs. “If we win, we’re in,” he said, “but if we lose, we’re out.”
The game against the Henley Hornets will be in Klamath Falls on Friday, Oct. 24. Henley is at 0-2/3-5.
Yarbrough’s take for Friday is that, “It definitely is a winnable football game for us, and we’re ready.”
In the homecoming game, the Mustangs stampeded for 427 yards of offense, while I.V. recorded 166. Cougar Lance Tausaga carried nine times for 26 yards, and added four pass grabs for 31 yards to lead the I.V. offense.
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Boys Soccer Victory
The Cougar boys varsity soccer team recorded its first victory in two years with a 3-2 win Friday, Oct. 17.
In the contest vs. the Glide Wildcats, the I.V. team’s three goals were by forward Jordan Crouse. In fact, his third score broke a 2-2 tie only three minutes into the second half.
The Cougars led 2-1 at the half partially due to a pair of assists from midfielder Todd Heiller. And junior keeper Ben Kendall blocked several shots at the goal in the game’s final 37 minutes.
Varsity Netters Down
Following recent losses, the Cougar varsity volleyball team’s Skyline mark was at 0-7, 3-12 overall.
The girls lost against Hidden Valley in Merlin on Oct. 16, and against Henley in KFalls.
Against the Mustangs, I.V. once again showed determination and good play, leading at one point. Brittany Loyd had 35 assists; and Alex Miller turned in 40 digs.
