By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore.–It wasn’t how St. Paul imagined how their football would end, finishing second in 1A, but they overcame a lot of injuries to get to the final day, the final game, of the season when they rematched with Lost River for the 8-Man Title.  Finishing the season with a 10-1 record in the process of wrapping up yet another great football campaign.  

After a slow first quarter that saw the Raiders jump out to a 20-0 lead, the Buckaroos buckled down defensively.  Shutting out Lost River in the frame and coming within a few yards of breaking the shutout in the 43-0 game Saturday afternoon at Cottage Grove High School.  Showing that they were going to battle and battle hard with the bodies that they had in the final game of the season.  Doing it for themselves and for the seniors who’ve been putting in the work together the past four years in the Blue and White.

“We were putting in the work together as a team,” senior Carter Milroy said. “It’s a great experience to be coached by Coach (Tony) Smith and it really showed out on the field.  (The younger kids) get more playing time than the Varsity guys during the season and it shows.  So, as the years go on, we’ll keep getting better and the coaching staff will keep doing their jobs and the young guys will keep being great.”

Milroy, in his final game as a St. Paul football player, had seven catches for 67 yards, fellow senior Warren Rose also had seven catches for 72 yards and forced a fumble as junior George Pohlschneider  threw for 165 yards on offense.  Sophomore Clay Smith led the Buckaroo defense with ten tackles and had a forced fumble.  

Photos By Jeremy McDonald