Oregon controls first half, can’t keep up with Winnebago in second half

OREGON – Winnebago didn’t cross midfield in opposition to Oregon till 3:50 remained within the first half Friday evening at Landers-Loomis Area. In the meantime, the Hawks superior into the purple zone twice within the first half.

It was full domination by Oregon in a important sport with playoff implications for each squads. Nevertheless, two key issues occurred within the first half in what turned out to be a 27-8 win by Winnebago within the Large Northern Convention tilt.

Oregon (1-3) couldn’t convert within the purple zone, and Winnebago accomplished a fluke cross to arrange a landing, taking a 6-0 lead.

“That’s been our Achilles’ heel. We’ve to do a greater job of executing within the purple zone,” Oregon coach Broc Kundert mentioned. “It will get tight down there. Truthfully, I don’t know why we are able to’t.”

Oregon survived the identical dilemma in opposition to Rockford Christian two weeks in the past, rally to win in time beyond regulation. Towards a ‘Bago crew that lastly bought on observe within the second half, Oregon didn’t have an opportunity.

With 3 minutes left within the second quarter, quarterback Alec Weavel scrambled out of a jam and located Kaiden Steurer on a 44-yard desperation cross to the 4-yard line. On the subsequent play, Supreme Muhammad scored, and the sport immediately modified.

“We performed properly within the first half, not within the second,” Kundert mentioned.

That was evident from the second half kickoff on. Winnebago took a 27-0 lead, working at will in opposition to a beleaguered Hawk protection.

“We made some sustained blocks,” Winnebago coach Mark Helm mentioned. “Within the first half, we didn’t have the ball a lot. Oregon did a pleasant job of executing and shifting the ball. That cross made an enormous distinction in turning the sport round.”

Will Speltz scored on a wonderfully executed exterior counter to provide the Indians a 14-0 third quarter lead. A 39-yard run by Muhammed and 33-yard landing catch by Steurer made in 20-0 later within the quarter.

After gaining solely 60 yards dashing within the first half, the Indians exploded for 200 within the second half.

The one offense generated by Oregon got here on its final drive.

Griffin Marlatt jump-started issues with a 20-yard catch and run. Austin Egyed picked up one other 13 and 20 on passes from Jack Washburn.

The 74-yard drive culminated with a 16-yard landing catch by Hunter Bartel, a sophomore-to-sophomore connection. In probably the most thrilling play for Oregon, Marlatt caught a cross within the flat on the additional level and fully reversed discipline for the PAT.

Within the first half, Washburn began with eight incompletions, however Anthony Bell got here up huge with two standout catches. And Gabe Eckerd and Noah Reber picked up good yardage on the bottom.

Winnebago, which didn’t have a primary down till the second quarter, ended up with 260 yards dashing on 39 carries. The Indians solely accomplished two passes, however these have been for 77 yards.

Oregon ran 30 occasions for 89 yards, and was 14-for-34 passing for 158 yards.

“They made some changes, and we didn’t sort out properly,” Kundert mentioned. “As defensive coordinator, that’s on me.”

It was Winnebago’s seventh straight win over Oregon.