Crane clips Cougars in snow

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.

“Crane struggled holding on to the ball too. But they made us pay for our mistakes.”

 The Mustangs fumbled the opening kickoff of the game. Wallowa’s Cody Green came away with the ball, setting Wallowa up on the Crane 20 yard line.

Four plays later the Mustangs had the ball back.

One play after that Pete Joyce took the ball 62 yards for a touchdown.

The Cougars didn’t cave under the pressure, scoring and taking the lead on the ensuing drive.

Tyler Harshfield carried the ball, along with three defenders, two yards for a touchdown. He capped a seven play, 60-yard drive.

Harshfield threw the ball to a wide-open Jake Johnston on the two-point conversion.

The Wallowa passing game heated up the frigid air after that.

Ronald Gladden reeled in two touchdown passes of more than 50 yards before the half.

He finished the game with eight receptions for 210 yards and three touchdowns.

“Ronald was pretty amazing out there,” Robb said. “They bumped him at the line and double-teamed him. But they couldn’t find a way to shut him down.”

His second touchdown reception gave Wallowa a 26-20 lead headed into the half.

“Crane was on the field a long time,” Robb said. “They really controlled the clock with their running game.

“We were able to make some big plays to stay with them.”

The teams traded turnovers in the third quarter.

But the big blow came when Harshfield scrambled out of the pocket.

The senior took a helmet to the shoulder, which sent him out of the game with 3:52 left in the quarter.

“That really hurt us,” Robb said. “Tyler is a tough kid, and one of the best quarterbacks in the state.”

Sophomore Dusty McDaniel made the most of his opportunities.

He connected with Gladden on a 53-yard pass to give Wallowa a 28-26 lead to end the third quarter.

“Dusty did a great job coming off the bench,” Robb said. “He led the offense to some big scores.”

Turnovers piled up for Wallowa in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 24-8 swing in the final 12 minutes.

“We’ll be back next year,” Rob said. “We’ve got a great core of guys returning.”

Second half keys Cove win

IONE — The Leopards running attack found its rhythm in the second half to help pull away from Ione in the first round of the Class 1A Football State Playoffs.

Cove led by eight points at the half, but pulled away for a 44-12 win.

Scott DelCurto broke touchdown runs of 48 and 53 yards.

Quarterback Jered Witty scampered 62 yards for another score.

DelCurto finished the game with 198 yards on 17 attempts with three touchdowns.

Witty finished on his heels with 192 yards on 15 attempts.

Cove will host St. Paul in the second round Saturday at 1 p.m.