LA GRANDE CONTROLLED the match for most of the game, especially in the scoreless first half when the Tigers had multiple shots on goal. Observer photo

That was the feeling after the La Grande boys’ soccer team lost 3-0 in a shootout to Yamhill-Carlton in the first round of the 4A State Playoffs Saturday.

“You don’t really practice those situations a whole lot,” Tigers head coach Dan Mielke said. “During the regular season you don’t have shootouts so it doesn’t come into play until the postseason. This time around they beat us.”

If fans need to know the severity of Saturday's clash between No. 2  Carroll College and No. 23 Eastern Oregon University, Mountaineers  head coach Tim Camp called the match-up, “The biggest game in EOU football history.”

The Saints enter the game having already clinched the Frontier  Conference title for the 10th straight season after beating Montana  Western last week. But, Eastern still has a chance to grab an at-large position in the national championship tournament.

THE LA GRANDE VOLLEYBALL team huddles up before its playoff match with Cottage Grove Wednesday night at La Grande High School. The Tigers lost in three games. - CASEY KELLAS

But despite a 3-0 loss to Cottage Grove Wednesday night in the first round of the state playoffs, the Tigers proved all those people wrong this season.

TOUGH TEST: Ashlee Michelson and the Mountaineers basketball team fell to NAIA Division I Montana Tech 79-72. - Observer File Photo

EOU was led by Ashlee Michelson’s 17 points, and first year Mountaineer, Anne Barnett, who finished with 15 points. The Eastern duo made 14 of their 24 shots from the field. EOU shot 44 percent from the field as a team, and 38 percent from behind the perimeter.

PROWLING PANTHER: Imbler’s Zach Phillips (83) reeled in two touchdown passes during a 66-12 win against Powder Valley Friday. Observer file photo

The Tigers had two players eclipse the 100-yard mark in a game where they racked up 561 yards on the ground.

The Outlaws finally found a passing attack that has been missing all season long. Junior Chaunce Galletly finished the game 14 of 27 for 267 yards and a touchdown. Galletly takes over at the quarterback spot after two players have been lost for the season due to injuries.

MOVING MILLER: La Grande quarterback Carson Miller finds room to run during a 41-13 win Friday. The Observer/CASEY KELLAS

“It’s nice to get a win convincingly,” La Grande head coach Matt Wolcott said.

But it didn’t look too convincing early on.

HUSKY HIGHLIGHT: Elgin’s Bejia Robbins helped lead her team to the Blue Mountain Conference playoff title Saturday in Heppner. Observer file photo

The Huskies defeated Union and Weston-McEwen at the Blue Mountain Conference District Tournament Saturday to claim the league title.

“It was just an amazing day of volleyball,” Elgin head coach Twila Ivins said. “It was a total team effort and everyone played a role in this. I’m just really proud of the girls.”

LITTLE LEAPER: Imbler’s Stephanie Anthony gets up for a kill during Saturday’s tournament. Observer photo/PAUL HARDER

Cove attempted to repeat its effort from last season by giving the Panthers a run for the league's top seed.

But Imbler battled to an 18-25, 25-10, 23-25, 25-15, 15-7 win.

TEAM QUEST: The Imbler Panthers volleyball team begins the defense of its state title Saturday at La Grande High School. Observer file photo

Imbler remains the frontrunner after completing a 30-2 performance during league play.

“The girls are obviously excited to get the playoffs started,” Panthers Head Coach of the Year Jennifer Teeter said. “We’ve been working hard this week to continue to get better.