Junior Bryce Kuenzi has rushed for 1,134 yards and 15 touchdowns this season for top-ranked Cascade. (Photo by Jeremy McDonald)
Junior Bryce Kuenzi has rushed for 1,134 yards and 15 touchdowns this season for top-ranked Cascade. (Photo by Jeremy McDonald)

No. 1 Cascade drew first blood in what promises to be a hotly contested battle in 4A Oregon West Conference football this season.

Getting another big game from junior running back Bryce Kuenzi – who rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries – the Cougars (5-0) won at No. 6 Stayton 24-16 in the conference opener Thursday.

Cascade led 8-0 at half and 24-0 in the fourth quarter before the Eagles (4-1) made a late rally, getting two touchdown passes from senior Hudson Hughes to senior Tanner Starbuck to draw within 24-16 with one minute left. The Cougars kneeled out the clock.

“That was our first four-quarter game, so that was a big deal for us,” Cascade coach Shane Hedrick said. “It was a physical game.”

The rivalry game, which drew an overflow crowd, was played at a fever pitch. Play got a bit chippy at times.

“I'm kind of new to it, and boy, there's a lot of animosity,” Hedrick said. “They take it serious. There were some penalties I think both programs wish wouldn't have happened. But at the end of the day, they shook hands and they prayed together after the game.”

Kuenzi scored on a 91-yard run in the third quarter to give Cascade a 16-0 lead. Junior Matthew Hinkle ran for a 16-yard touchdown to make it 24-0 early in the fourth quarter.

Kuenzi left the game after his long touchdown run with an apparent leg injury. Hedrick said Kuenzi did not need crutches after the game.

“We'll keep our fingers crossed and see what the doctor says,” Hedrick said of Kuenzi, who has rushed for 1,134 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

The difference in the game was Cascade's ability to run up the middle. The Cougars' offensive line, led by junior guard Bryce May (6-2, 310) and senior center Tanner Fairfield (5-11, 240), was able to wear down the Eagles.

May has been dominant this season.

“He's a next-level kid,” Hedrick said. “He doesn't fall to the ground, he's got good feet, and he's very quick. If we run and we need yardage, we're going to follow Bryce.”

Cascade plays host to Junction City (1-4) before visiting No. 5 Philomath (5-0) and No. 3 Marist Catholic (4-1) in consecutive weeks.

"Just keep our eyes up for everybody now because everyone's going to give us their best shot for all four quarters,” Cougars junior tight end/linebacker Morrisen Craig said. “Not taking everyone for granted or taking anyone lightly.”

Stayton goes to Philomath before facing Marist Catholic at home in its next two games.

“We're so deep. We're so close. It's the next step,” Starbuck said. “We just played one of the best teams in the state and lost by one touchdown … I think it shows that we're one of the best teams in the state."

-- Jeremy McDonald contributed to this report

Top-ranked Vale survives in OT

No. 1 Vale overcame windy conditions and a stout Burns defense to beat the No. 4 Hilanders 18-12 in overtime at home Friday as the unbeaten teams collided in the 3A Special District 6 opener.

Senior Kase Schaffeld ran for a 28-yard touchdown on the second series of overtime to clinch the win for the Vikings (6-0), who never led in regulation. It capped a big night for Schaffeld, who rushed for 258 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries.

Vale coach Jeff Aldred said the game reminded him of a 27-26 overtime loss to Cascade Christian in last year's 3A quarterfinals. The Hilanders (4-1), who had shut out their last three opponents, pushed the Vikings to the limit.

“It felt exactly like a playoff game,” Aldred said. “Burns definitely came ready to play. We had a hard time matching their intensity from the very beginning. But we kind of weathered the storm, literally and figuratively. … I loved the way we battled in the end. We need to start better, no doubt about it.”

Strong winds knocked out power at the stadium several times in the first half, the final time leading to a 15-minute delay in the second quarter. When play resumed, Schaffeld ran for a 69-yard touchdown to make it 6-6.

Burns turned a blocked punt into a 10-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Jack Wright to lead 12-6 late in the third quarter. Schaffeld scored on a one-yard run with 4:34 left to pull even at 12-12, but Burns stopped the ensuing two-point conversion attempt.

Burns got the ball first in overtime, but Vale got a stop on an interception by junior Troy Dayton, leading to Schaffeld's winning run. Schaffeld ran from the wildcat formation.

The Vikings rode Schaffeld more than usual because of the weather.

“With that wind, I felt most comfortable with the ball in Kase's hands and behind our offensive line,” Aldred said. “The wind was so bad it was messing with the snaps a little bit. It died down in the second half.”

Vale finished with a 301-232 edge in total yards. Aldred was impressed with the Burns defense.

“They fly around, and they have athletes at every position,” he said. “There's really no holes in their defense. It's hard to break long plays. Kase is a special player, so he broke a couple of long runs.”

Through six games, Schaffeld has rushed for 1,226 yards and 16 touchdowns.

“He kind of had a sour taste in his mouth with how the season ended last year,” Aldred said. “He has himself in excellent shape. He took track very seriously in the spring and got himself faster. He's about as motivated a player as I've been around.”

Vale is without one of its key players in senior tight end/linebacker Damick Eddy. The three-year starter suffered a fractured skull behind his ear when he took a knee to the side of his head against La Grande on Sept. 6. Aldred said there's a “very, very outside” chance Eddy could return for the playoffs.

“We're missing him, there's no doubt about that,” he said.

Churchill ends Thurston streak

Since 2018, Thurston has dominated the 5A Midwestern League, completing six consecutive perfect runs through the league schedule.

Thursday night, though, the No. 3 Colts' 42-game league winning streak came to a halt with a 32-13 home loss to unranked Churchill. It is Thurston's first league loss since a 40-35 defeat to Churchill in 2017, when the Lancers won their last league title.

“Obviously, they've been really good around here forever,” Churchill coach Layne Coffin said of the Colts. “Anytime we can beat a team like Thurston, it helps solidify in our minds that we're getting better each week and we're starting to come together as a team.

“Thurston's the team. They have the dudes, and they're well coached.”

After going 3-6 in their first season under Coffin last year, the Lancers (4-1, 4-0) are tied for first place with Willamette (5-0, 4-0), ahead of Thurston (5-1, 4-1) and North Eugene (4-2, 4-1). Churchill's dramatic improvement has been a bit of a surprise for Coffin, who coached Century of Pocatello to Idaho state titles in 2000 and 2001.

“I knew we were going to be better, but anytime you go somewhere, the process always takes a different length of time,” Coffin said. “We had a really good camp at North Bend High School, and got away and bonded as a team. You could see them grow together, but I didn't know it was going to be like this just yet.”

With their double-wing offense clicking, the Lancers never trailed against Thurston, leading 16-7 after one quarter and 24-7 at half. Senior running back Ceville Pasi (6-0, 215) rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries, giving him 898 yards and 14 scores for the season. Junior Lukas Babbitt caught a 58-yard touchdown pass from junior Lucas Gansen.

Thurston entered averaging 42.0 points per game, but Churchill held the Colts in check. Junior linebacker Brady Bousquet intercepted a pass in the end zone and Babbitt had a fumble recovery.

“The defense played fantastic,” Coffin said.

The Lancers have held opponents to 32 points in four games since opening the season with a 33-30 loss to 4A No. 3 Marist Catholic. They are winning with a roster of only 24 players.

“Honest and truly, I think they're good enough to compete with most teams,” Coffin said. “Health is going to be big for us. If we can get into the playoffs healthy, I think we've got a good opportunity to compete.”

Scappoose rallies late at Seaside

Bolstered by five starters returning from injury – including 6-5 senior quarterback Max Nowlin – No. 4 Scappoose (4-1) notched its most important win of the season Friday, going on the road to defeat No. 8 Seaside (2-3) in the 4A Cowapa League opener for both teams.

The Indians trailed 22-12 in the fourth quarter before rallying behind Nowlin. He threw a touchdown pass to junior Brayden Miller with five minutes left, then connected with senior Quinton Olson on a 12-yard score to put Scappoose ahead with 1:35 remaining. Seaside's desperation pass on the game's final play was intercepted in the end zone by sophomore Will Kessi.

The game could have a big impact on the Cowapa title. Last year, Scappoose and Seaside shared the league title with Tillamook.

“It's really big,” Scappoose co-coach Joe Nowlin said. “Our season has been a little bit stop-and-start with some of the injuries we've had. It's real important for us to start creating some momentum as we get into league. We always have an eye toward the playoffs.”

Max Nowlin played his first game since rolling his ankle in a 36-0 home loss to No. 1 Cascade on Sept. 13. He passed for 175 yards and three touchdowns, two to Miller, who also had an 80-yard kickoff return for a score.

Joe Nowlin said that Max Nowlin, his son, is playing at about 90 percent.

“He's been working hard in his PT,” Joe Nowlin said. “He's not as mobile as he was early in the year. But he's getting there. Having Max back out there, you can feel the energy's a little bit different. The belief in the teammates is just a little bit different.”

Nowlin was one of five starters to suffer injuries in the Cascade game, along with senior right tackle Cooper Carlascio, sophomore left guard Shaun Washburn and senior linebackers Brandon Neilson and Riley Debois. They all returned Friday.

The Indians, shorthanded in a 47-26 win over Estacada on Sept. 20, benefited from having a bye last week.

“The bye came at a perfect time for us,” Joe Nowlin said.

Cottage Grove's about-face

Cottage Grove is flourishing in 3A this season after dropping down from 4A, where it played in the rugged Oregon West Conference.

The Lions met the criteria to play in 3A after going 2-25 the last three seasons. They are 5-0 overall, 3-0 in Special District 3 after taking sole possession of first place with a 28-19 home win over Sisters (3-2, 2-1) on Thursday.

Senior Clayton Dewitt rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries, raising his season totals to 875 yards and 16 scores. Cottage Grove took over the game after falling behind 13-0 in the first quarter.

“Last year we would have folded the tent and went home and got beat 50-0,” Cottage Grove coach Steve Turner said. “There was no panic. We just kept plugging away.”

Dewitt ran for a touchdown and two-point conversion with 16 seconds left in the first half to make it 13-8. The Lions scored touchdowns on their first three possessions of the second half – including drives of 16 and 14 plays – to lead 28-13. Seniors Gavin Grogan and Terran Stewart also ran for scores.

Last year, Cottage Grove was outscored 373-124 and finished 1-8. After having four seniors on the roster last year, the Lions have 18 this year.

“If you would have told me 12 months ago that we'd be where we're at, I'd be a little surprised, to be honest with you,” Turner said. “It's been a pretty good turnaround.”

Cottage Grove is in position to win a league title but is taking it one step at a time.

“Where we're at, we're just happy to win,” Turner said. “We're not talking about anything other than who's next because we're not good enough to be thinking down the line. It's not like these wins have been easy.”

Turner said going to 3A “was the right move for our program.”

“Our kids were looked down upon,” Turner said. “It has helped change their self-worth a little bit, gave them an opportunity to be competitors again.”

The Lions have been winning despite playing with their second string quarterback in junior John Paulo Delima. The starter, Nathin Lemon, suffered a separated shoulder in a jamboree. Lemon saw his first action Thursday, kicking two extra points, and could play quarterback soon.

Other highlights from Week 5:

6A

Nelson's Avirey Durdahl became the 18th player in state history to pass for 500 yards in his team's 56-14 win over Sandy. He completed 21 of 26 passes for 514 yards (No. 14 all-time) and six touchdowns. He threw scoring passes to six different players, including Noah Boria (five catches, 148 yards) and Easton Ivelia (six catches, 134 yards). ... Kelsen Sperry completed 11 of 13 passes for 174 yards and four touchdowns – all in the first half – as Sheldon routed North Salem 69-3. Mana Tuioti had two touchdown runs for the Irish, who led 56-0 at half. Sheldon held North Salem to 57 total yards. … Lake Oswego's LaMarcus Bell rushed for a career-high 247 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries as Lake Oswego turned back Tualatin 45-31. Hudson Kurland completed 8 of 12 passes for 163 yards and ran for 45 yards and three scores. Tualatin's Nolan Keeney completed 18 of 31 passes for 312 yards and one touchdown. He connected with Zhaiel Smith 10 times for 174 yards and with Calen Simonelic four times for 102 yards. The Lakers sacked Keeney five times. … Wilson Medina ran for four touchdowns as Sherwood downed North Medford 36-14. The Black Tornado led 14-6 late in the first half. …

Lincoln smothered Roosevelt 3-0, getting interceptions from Blake Timothy, Leo Correani and AJ Reverman and a fumble recovery from Alex Lydgate. … Trey Cleeland tossed two touchdown passes to Grant Valley (six catches, 134 yards) and Max Ortner had 16 carries for 96 yards and two scores for Jesuit, which topped Westview 28-6. …Dukatti Witherspoon passed for four touchdowns as Sprague dominated South Salem 48-0. Kenya Johnson ran for two touchdowns and caught a scoring pass. … West Linn overwhelmed Tigard 55-0 as Baird Gilroy completed 22 of 27 passes for 315 yards and seven touchdowns, three to Danny Wideman (12 catches, 195 yards). … Lakeridge's Drew Weiler completed 19 of 29 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 75 yards and one score on eight carries in a 36-0 win over Oregon City. Weiler's top targets were Turner Tropio (three catches, 141 yards, one touchdown) and Jayden Tragesser (six catches, 121 yards, one touchdown). Noah Tishendorf had five tackles for loss and three sacks. …

Zae Clark Anderson and Michael Patten returned interceptions for touchdowns in the second half as Jefferson came back to beat Grant 28-19. Brave Johnson completed 19 of 30 passes for 307 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions. Jayden Robinson had nine catches for 119 yards and ran for a score. Grant's Marcus Rouse Jr. rushed for 229 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries. … Down 21-14 at half, Mountainside pulled away to defeat Sunset 49-28. … McMinnville needed two overtimes to stop Liberty 42-36. Riley Donahue ran for a 13-yard touchdown to start the second overtime, and Taylor Carnahan sealed the win with an interception. Liberty's Matt Jones rushed for three touchdowns. … Jordan Rossetta completed 24 of 33 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns to propel Grants Pass past South Medford 42-30. Treyton Powers had 24 carries for 99 yards and two touchdowns and caught a scoring pass. South Medford's Kellen Lefebvre rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. … Koen Campos had 19 carries for 166 yards and three touchdowns for West Salem, which dropped McNary 35-7.

5A

Hood River Valley improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1990 by beating Forest Grove 20-14 in a game between unbeaten teams. Bam Layna rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries for the Eagles. … Josiah Corsini returned an interception 66 yards for a touchdown to break a tie and lift North Eugene over Roseburg 28-21. Dae Dae Ireland rushed for 113 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries for North Eugene, which led 21-0 at half before the Indians rallied to tie 21-21. The Highlanders iced the game with a 16-play drive in the fourth quarter. … Peyton Smith rushed for two touchdowns as Eagle Point turned back South Eugene 16-8. The Eagles trailed 8-0 at half. … Unbeaten Dallas thumped South Albany 35-0 as Eli Hess completed 12 of 18 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns (two to Graysen Gardner) and ran for a score. Chase Eriksen had two interceptions and a fumble recovery. …

No. 1 Wilsonville rebounded from its first loss to handle previously unbeaten Central/Kings Valley Charter 41-10. Mark Wiepert completed 28 of 35 passes for 405 yards and five touchdowns, three to Nick Crowley. Ben Wiepert had two interceptions. … Mountain View held Caldera to 64 total yards in a 35-0 rout. Mason Chambers threw two touchdown passes, one to Jordan Best, who returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a score. Angel Valenzuela rushed for 104 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries. … Arturo Echeverria scored touchdowns rushing and receiving and Sorne Olson had two interceptions in Hillsboro's 35-0 win over Centennial. Riley McConnell passed for 198 yards and one touchdown. … Canby brushed back Woodburn 42-20. Jackson Doman had seven catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns and Taeler Pfenning rushed for 183 yards and one score on 20 carries. Kellen Oliver completed 16 of 21 passes for 281 yards.

4A

Sovann Chab rushed for 101 yards and one touchdown and had 99 receiving yards and two scoring catches, both from Mathias Fields, as La Grande turned back Ontario 34-27. Chab also intercepted a pass. … Philomath stayed unbeaten by blanking Sweet Home 37-0. Caleb Russell – coming off a school-record seven touchdown passes last week – completed 27 of 41 passes for 418 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions. CD Nuno had 10 catches for 169 yards and two scores and Warwick Bushnell had four catches for 117 yards and one touchdown. The Warriors owned a 461-59 edge in total yards. … Mazama held off Marshfield 27-20. Kris Baldwin rushed for 156 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries. Brody Van Gastel passed for two touchdowns and ran for a score. Kai Otee Hunt had two interceptions. ... North Bend rushed for 324 yards in defeating Ashland 36-20. Jackson Swanson (17 carries, 121 yards, one touchdown) and Connor Johnson (16 carries, 106 yards, two touchdowns) eclipsed the century mark. Killian Phaigh had two sacks. ...

Blake Barger rushed for 126 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries and had an interception and fumble recovery to spark Estacada's 48-6 win over The Dalles. … Marist Catholic outscored Junction City 49-28 as Nick Hudson completed 25 of 30 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns, both to Christian Guerrero. Cash Andrus had six catches for 107 yards. Connor Harvey rushed for 129 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. … Kevin Hurliman completed 10 of 17 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns as Tillamook thumped St. Helens 43-0. Griffyn Boomer had four catches for 117 yards and one touchdown and had an interception. ... Damon Lang passed for three touchdowns and ran for three scores to lead Milwaukie past Astoria 48-8. ... Crook County moved to 5-0 by downing Parkrose 62-8, opening a 55-0 lead at half. Gavin Sandoval ran for three touchdowns and passed for another and Kenan Twigg and Gabriel Love returned kickoffs for scores.

3A

Dayton rushed for 346 yards in rolling over Willamina 36-6. Makoy Fleeman rushed for 97 yards and one touchdown on four carries and Ryan Mullins threw two touchdown passes to Jose Hernandez. … Creswell downed Madras 20-6 as Hunter Mustin ran for a 71-yard touchdown and caught a 32-yard scoring pass. Darian Dewey returned a fumble 54 yards for a touchdown. … Zaryk Winters rushed for 225 yards and four touchdowns and completed 5 of 7 passes for 106 yards and two scores to lead Lakeview past St. Mary's 39-3. Davis Jones of St. Mary's kicked a 50-yard field goal. … Caleb Scaglione rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns on six carries, caught three passes for 39 yards and blocked a field goal that led to an 80-yard touchdown return by Taylor Snowden as Cascade Christian rolled Klamath Union 50-7. Deryk Farmer passed for two scores in the win. KU's Reese Johnson completed 20 or 36 passes for 229 yards, including a touchdown to Tuko Saluskin (six catches, 131 yards). …

North Valley pulled away from a scoreless tie at halftime to beat Phoenix 28-0. The Knights rushed for 343 yards, getting big games from Hayden Taylor (19 carries, 159 yards) and Lyric Anderton (17 carries, 125 yards). Phoenix had 82 total yards. … McLoughlin pulled away to beat Umatilla 40-14. Matthew Humbert rushed for 149 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries. Dallen Duncan had six carries for 74 yards and three touchdowns, returned a kickoff for a score and had an interception. Umatilla's Maddex Caballero rushed for 116 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries. … Douglas prevailed over Sutherlin 39-14 in a battle of unbeaten teams. The Trojans scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns after Sutherlin pulled within 21-14. Ryder Sawyer passed for three touchdowns and ran for a score. Reese Willis had two touchdown catches and returned a kickoff 97 yards for a score. .. Max Reynolds had 21 carries for 153 yards and one touchdown in Siuslaw's 29-22 win over South Umpqua. Micah Blankenship passed for 135 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score.

2A

Tyler Knapp had a career game for Enterprise in its 48-36 win over Weston-McEwen. Knapp completed 13 of 21 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 234 yards and four scores on 21 carries. He also had an interception on defense. Quentin Arellano caught four passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Weston-McEwen's Easton Berry rushed for 182 yards and three touchdowns and completed 11 of 33 passes for 205 yards and one score. Jace Dunlap had nine carries for 123 yards and one touchdown in the loss. … Lost River ended a two-game skid by beating Bonanza 50-26. Kayden Hartman rushed for 185 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries in the win. Bonanza's Isaac Noble had 32 carries for 149 yards and two scores. … Heppner outgained Stanfield 385-121 in a 62-0 win. Alakae Rodriguez rushed for three touchdowns, Hayden McMahon had two carries for 82 yards and one score and Nick Wenberg had two catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Wenberg also snagged an interception. …

St. Paul throttled Monroe 64-6 as Grady Wolf completed 8 of 15 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score. Clay Smith ran for a touchdown and scored on a 41-yard fumble return. Branson Cook scored touchdowns rushing and receiving. … Culver stayed unbeaten by dispatching reigning state champion Lowell 30-13. Houston Wittenberg passed for a touchdown and scored on a run and an interception return. The Bulldogs pulled away after Lowell got within 16-13 in the fourth quarter. … Oakland blitzed Gold Beach 52-0 as Ryan Fullerton completed 7 of 8 passes for 98 yards and three touchdowns, two to Corbin Hoover. Gabe Williamson had three carries for 92 yards and two touchdowns and four tackles for loss. Andrew McCurdy had two sacks. … Korben Schumacher passed for three touchdowns to lift Regis over Glide 26-20. Glide's Dylan Standley had a touchdown catch and returned an interception for a score.

1A-8

Rance Jordan ran for two touchdowns and caught a scoring pass in Adrian's 52-6 win over Powder Valley. Trey Bayes threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score and Colten Bayes had two rushing touchdowns. ... Dufur led 50-0 at half and defeated Country Christian 50-6. Nolan Cates rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries and had two catches for 71 yards and two scores, both from Gavin Anderson. Scott Graham had six carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns for Dufur, which piled up 517 yards. …

Playing its first game under the lights at home, Imbler defeated Elgin 36-14. … Kody Sparks threw three touchdown passes to Trey Johnson to lead Crosspoint Christian past Yoncalla 44-8. Freshman Isaac Root returned an interception for a score. …North Douglas subdued Mohawk 72-6 behind Hunter Vaughn, who had eight carries for 192 yards and three touchdowns and returned an interception and fumble for scores. Jason Marois had seven carries for 111 yards and three touchdowns and caught a scoring pass. Wyatt Reed had four tackles for loss. … Chiloquin outlasted Riddle 42-34 despite the performance of Riddle freshman Isaiah Ibrahim, who rushed for 165 yards and one score on 10 carries.

1A-6

Prairie City/Burnt River improved to 6-0 by drubbing Ione/Arlington 63-0. The Panthers racked up 435 yards on 21 plays. Maison Teel rushed for 230 yards and four touchdowns on five carries and Sawyer Quinton passed for three scores, two to JW Haskins. Ritter Rockstool caught a 66-yard touchdown pass and had three tackles for loss. … South Wasco County rolled over reigning state champion Echo 44-12, holding the Cougars to 113 yards. Storm McCoy completed 12 of 21 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns, all to Gavin Hagen (three catches, 92 yards). George Barnett had six catches for 104 yards, rushed for two touchdowns and returned an interception for a score. Marcel Sandoval had an interception and two sacks. …

Eddyville Charter defeated Alsea 63-26 as Darian Schultz passed for 174 yards and three touchdowns, giving him 21 for the season. Ashton Fawver rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns and returned an interception for a score. Parker Crowe rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns and caught a scoring pass. … Powers is 5-0 after handling Gilchrist 62-0. Rene Sears rushed for 82 yards and four touchdowns on eight carries and had an interception return for a score. Braden Bushnell passed for two touchdowns, including a 68-yarder to Patrick Mahmoud, who had a kickoff return for a score. The Cruisers held Gilchrist to minus-12 yards. ... Days Creek held off CS Lewis Academy 39-29 as Aiden Denson rushed for 144 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries and had five catches for 104 yards and one score. Keegan Stufflebeam completed 9 of 13 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns.