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West pick propels East
 SEALING THE DEAL: Imbler’s Nick West (left) and Pilot Rock’s Chance Bandy (right) celebrate an interception to end the game. Observer photo/BARRETT HENDERSON Defense made the difference during the 17-13 victory by the East squad. A suffocating defensive scheme held the West to 39 total yards in the first half. “We wanted to come out and kick (butt),” Union’s Sam Fiorito said. “It was a great team effort. It’s not easy to shut down another group of all-stars, but we did it.”In fact, the defense was responsible for the first score of the game. Michael Martin of Burns brought down the quarterback on the West’s opening drive forcing a punt. The snap went over the kicker’s head and bounced through the endline for a safety. The East offense didn’t fare much better, except for one big play in the opening half. Kasey Clemons of Lakeview lofted a pass into double coverage that Crane’s Dallen Davies somehow reeled in. Davies broke past the defense for a 69-yard touchdown reception. “It’s difficult in games like this to get the offense going,” Culver’s Nevin Lewis said. “We’re going through so many different rotations. Finding the rhythm is really tough. “We’re just tried to relax and let things happen for us. It didn’t really work out in the first half.” The players didn’t seem effected by the heat, that reached 99 degrees the game. Both teams got stronger as the game wore on. The West opened the third quarter with a nine-play, 65-yard drive. Andrew Allen of Rainer lumbered the final two yards for the touchdown. The East didn’t allow the momentum to build, striking back through the air on its ensuing drive. Lewis reeled in an over-the-shoulder catch to pick up 34 yards. “Mark (Moore) threw a perfect ball. It went right over my front shoulder,” Lewis said. “I was just hoping I’d catch it. “We needed to respond after the West got on the board. That was a big play to get us going.” Lewis opened the drive with an amazing catch, and brought it to an end with a routine grab. “I didn’t know Mark would be looking for me again,” Lewis said. “We all knew the routes, but figured I’d be open.” Apparently so did one of the West coaches who was screaming at the cornerback isolated on Lewis. It didn’t help. Lewis broke hard on an inside slant, the corner jumped and Lewis turned back out with no one around him. “It felt great to help the team out,” Lewis said. “That’s what this week was all about. “I made a lot of friends on this side of the state this week.” The West pounded in another score with 9:41 left in the game. Kelly Maguire called his number on a quarterback keeper for a two-yard touchdown run. However, the kick failed, leaving the score 17-13. The West failed on its next attempt to take the lead, and its final attempt didn’t go any better. Maguire’s pass went into the hands of Imbler’s Nick West. That allowed the East to run out the clock for the win. The East improved to 29-25-3 for the series. After the win, Fiorito was still trying to grasp the feeling of the week-long event. “It’s a great way to end my high school career. This is something that you’ll never forget,” Fiorito said. He won’t have long to dwell on the game. Fiorito’s college career at Eastern Oregon University begins quickly. “I wish I had a little more free time,” he said. “But I’m excited to start the next phase of football. “It’s going to be nice to be close to home. That way my mom can still do my laundry.”
West 10 0 7 0 – 17 East 0 0 7 6 – 13 First Quarter E – safety, 9:58 E – Dallen Davies 69 pass from Kasey Clemons (Nevin Lewis run), 3:35 Third Quarter W – Andrew Allen 2 run (Kyle Kuhnausen kick), 7:37 E – Lewis 5 pass from Mark Moore (Lance Tuagasa kick), 1:03 Fourth Quarter W – Kelly Maguire 2 run (kick failed), 9:41
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