By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

STAYTON, Ore.– Kollin Schumacher has been on a mission this year for the Regis Football Team.  First year playing quarterback, undersized at about five-foot-eight-inches or so, but the junior has been finding a groove while leading the Rams to a 7-1 start following Regis’ Senior Night win over Willamina.  A 44-9 victory that saw Schumacher throw for four touchdowns on 13 completions and 202 yards passing in the rainy game that the two teams had in Stayton Friday night.

“I didn’t know what to expect at first, but I’ve been taking it one snap at a time.  I’ve picked up a few things, new skills along the way this season and I think I’ve came a long way from that first game in Gaston.  Since then I’ve gained more confidence and it’s allowed me to play better,” Schumacher said of his performance.  “Coming into the game (tonight), I didn’t know what to expect.  I thought we might’ve been more run-focused this game, but after that first touchdown 12 seconds into the game I gained more confidence after that.”

Third play of the game, second of their first drive, Schumacher found Tim Crowell for 80-yards to get on the board from the start.  Schumacher found Noah Koenig on their third drive for 73-yards to give themselves a 14-3 cushion  The Bulldogs had just kicked a field goal and threatened to score once more in between the two score drives for Regis.  

The Rams shutdown Willamina’s third drive and by the end of the first quarter it was 19-3 Regis after Schumacher’s third touchdown pass of the game, which was to Koenig from 43-yards out.

But the Bulldogs, who’ve won five games for the first time since 2018, found a reboot in momentum in the second quarter behind Austin Johnson and started to build some momentum going towards halftime.  The Rams mojo however, limited the surge to a long play here-and-there as Regis went into the halftime break up 31-9.  Orrin Reid found Austin Carrasco with 6.5 seconds left in the opening half for the lone Willamina touchdown of the game.

“We were bouncing back-and-forth, but they had the early start off and got points and points.  We fought back…it was a tough battle.  It was pretty good to see (Johnson) spark us, we just needed that energy,” Reid said.

The ‘Dogs wrap up the regular season going to Nestucca and looking for their sixth win of the season out on the road, and this week of practice will be huge points Reid as the freshman Quarterback points towards in preparing for one more regular season test ahead.

“Show up to practice and go 110-percent on everything,” Reid said.  “We just got to show up to practice.”

For Regis, it’ll be a Battle Of The Canyon of sorts with them traveling to Mill City to play Santiam in both teams regular season finale.  The Wolverines are coming off a 78-0 victory over Sheridan and is looking to be a physical battle for two teams hungry for the postseason.

“We know we got to prepare.  They’re going to be a tough opponent, so it’ll be a tough week of practice.  It’s big, it’s really big.  It’ll set us up for playoffs, so it’s a really key game,” Schumacher said.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald