By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

GERVAIS, Ore.–  Excitement and confidence are in the air Monday following Gervais (1-1) Football’s first win in almost two years as the team walked out to the field after workouts.

“It was really important for us to get that win to keep building on that for the rest of the season,” said River Moss.  “It was 0-0 until halftime, then it took us until halfway through the third to get that first touchdown.  We were held back by a lot of penalties.”

Moss scored that first Cougar touchdown from 25 yards out while freshman Dyontae Navarrete added two more in the 20-14 victory following being denied of their first win of the season a week earlier versus Sheridan.

“It sucked we came back the next week and we got a win.  Just hard work and progression,” said Navarrete on the win.

Head Coach Josh Crawford, in his second year as a Head Coach, was excited to get that first win as a High School Head Coach.

“It was very excited for me as a head coach to get the first win,” said Crawford.  “It was really exciting because of the seniors who haven’t won since they were sophomores.  I felt like this group as a whole, it was their first win, I think there is more to come as long as we take care of our business and not worry about what’s going on the other side of the ball.”

On the other side of the ball this week though, is rival-Scio.  Sitting at 2-0, the Loggers have been grinding out opponents with their Double-Wing, smash mouth running game against Illinois Valley and 4A Estacada.

Practicing how to defend this offense, Gervais was preparing what is to come Friday night at Gervais High School.

“I would describe it as more of a smash mouth, they don’t like to throw too much,” said Navarrete.  “But they’ll probably throw more on us since they’re going to try to surprise us in this game I’m pretty sure.”

“Everyone has to be discipline, if we’re more discipline, we’ll be right there at the end of the game.  Mental mistakes will kill us.  I think we’ll be disciplined to play our positions and it’ll be a good game, I’m excited for it.”

They know the rivalry will be there, and they are already being preparing for this opportunity by watching film since Sunday.  At lunch Monday, they were watching game film of Scio’s game as they recognized several plays they like to run.

But they are also excited as well to be at home for a change after being on the road to Sheridan and Portland the last two weeks.

“I’m excited to be playing at home, there’s going to be a lot more people in the stands this next week,” said Navarrete  A lot more people from school and everything watching us and I think we’re going to have a good game.”

Kickoff is 7pm at Gervais High School.

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Practice Pictures (Pictures By Jeremy McDonald)