By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

STAYTON, Ore.–  The weather was frightful, the football wasn’t as delightful, but the Rams are thankful they got out it with a 14-2 victory over Bandon/Pacific on Friday night.  Whatever they needed to do to end out on top now they’re play November football where anything is possible.

Kollin Schumacher points to a reference that the spread-offense, like the only they run this season, doesn’t translate well into November.  Yet they found ways to build themselves a 14-0 lead going into the second half with the atmospheric river raging on around them.  Touchdowns from Luis Perez on the ground and a Schumacher-Noah Koenig connection through the air helped get the Rams ahead.  Eventually turning to their defense to hold their ground in the mud pit that became the Regis home field.

“It was tough tackling, they’re all slippery from the mud but we were able to stop them every drive and it gave us a lot of confidence.  The first drive, we got that fumble recovery and that really kicked us off  and gave us a lot of momentum,” Schumacher said.

It was a statement win for the Rams, their first playoff win since 2016 when they won the 2A State Championship, surrendering just a safety with four minutes left in the game.  Sure being one of the Final Eight teams is great, but Regis is still having the big chip on their shoulder entering the 2A Quarterfinals against either Monroe or Heppner.

The two teams play Saturday up in Heppner.  Regis is ready for either team, but know deep down they are hoping the Mustangs come out on top after the two teams met last postseason with Heppner taking the game 43-8.

“I’m super proud of my team…Everyone is overestimating us, but we’re a force to be reckoned with.  The mud, all the elements, we had to remember that they were going through it too and we came out on top,” Koenig said.  “Revenge.  That’s all we want.  Just going out there and staying humble and don’t get complacent.”

Photos By Jeremy McDonald