By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore.–  The pain of defeat was there after the game at Cottage Grove.  St. Paul built a 22-12 lead entering halftime as Saul Martinez rushed for 145 yards, Holden Smith connected for two passing scores, one to Jayidn Jackson and another to Justin Herberger, and threw for 91 yards in the game.

But, Tri-River League opponent Santiam found the end zone to start the fourth quarter and saw the Wolverines march 82 yards to kick the game-winning field goal as time expired, ending the Buckaroos fantastic season 23-22.

As St. Paul drops to 1A in 2015 and though they are losing Smith, Campbell Smith, Logam Villarreal to name a few, the Buck are returning Martinez, Herberger and Jackson as they make the transition to 1A; and one thing is for certain:

They won’t forget about November 18, 2017 and the feeling it brought to them.

“Just got to work hard, don’t stop,” said Martinez.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald