Wallowa’s Tyler Harshfield’s high school career came to an end against Crane in the first round of the state playoffs Friday. Observer file photo

Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t a balmy 70 degrees for the Cougars’ opening round Class 1A football playoff game against Crane.

Wallowa fell 50-34 under adverse weather conditions. The outside temperature was near freezing, and 3 inches of snow coated the field prior to the game. More snow fell before the halftime horn sounded.

SWEET HOME — It was the same old story for the La Grande football team Friday night. The Tigers played well in the first half, but couldn’t keep up with Sweet Home in a 27-7 loss in the first round of the Class 4A State Playoffs.

“I think the kids played hard,”

La Grande head coach Matt Wolcott said. “We just couldn’t make plays when we needed to.”

Congratulations to the Imbler Panthers volleyball team on its latest state title.

The senior-laden team made some steam in Forest Grove by turning the temperature up one degree.

This year the Panthers are sporting black team shirts with 212 printed on the front.

The Elgin Huskies volleyball team wrapped up the 2009 state tournament with a sixth-place finish. Observer file photo

The Huskies (28-17 overall) won one of three games at the eight-team Class 2A tournament Nov. 13-14 at Pacific University in Forest Grove.

Elgin lost 3-1 in its opening contest in the quarterfinals Friday to the Salem Academy Crusaders (26-6).

The Imbler volleyball team celebrates after clinching its second straight Class 1A state title in Forest Grove Saturday. Nancy Campbell photo

Led by the remarkable performance of senior outside hitter Sarah Bowers-Ott (35 kills, 17 digs), the Panthers (29-3) overpowered Helix (15-4) in a 25-9, 25-16, 25-15 win. Bowers-Ott earned the Qwest Player-of-the-Game Award and was selected to the All State Tournament First Team.  

The Panthers volleyball team is poised to make a return trip to the state title.

But Imbler isn’t taking anything for granted.

“We’re trying to take it one game at a time,” Panthers head coach Jennifer Teeter said. “That’s been our key all season long. We can’t look ahead.”

Imbler finished 8-0 and will take on Echo in the first round of the Class 1A Playoffs Friday night. Observer file photo

Three local teams begin the trek this weekend through the field.

After beating up on each other, Wallowa, Cove and Imbler will once again turn the focus back to the rest of the state.

The last memory the La Grande football team has of the state playoffs is a 35-33 loss to Estacada in 2007, when the Tigers entered the playoffs with a doleful 1-8 record.

La Grande enters the 2009 playoffs with new hope, winning two of its final four games entering its first round playoff game with Sweet Home Friday night.

“It’s like another season for us,” La Grande head coach Matt Wolcott said. “First it was preseason, then league play, and now the playoffs. We feel good about ourselves.”

EUGENE — It was a successful weekend for the

La Grande cross country team at the Class 4A State Meet in Eugene.

The Tigers boys team finished in eighth place with a score of 222, one spot higher than it placed last season. The girls team placed 13th with 332 points.

UNION’S KATE STEWART (No. 108) grabbed a top-10 finish at the cross country state championships Saturday. Observer file photo

“We didn’t leave the race sad at all,” senior Tom Sheehy said. “As a team we competed really well.

“Nyssa is a great team, and we’re happy for them. They’re our friendly rivalry. It’s good to keep the title in Eastern Oregon.”