John L. Braese
BEND – Harper football fans had much to cheer about early in the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 30. Meeting the top seeded Cruisers of Powers in the state title game, two interceptions by the Hornets resulted in two quick scores and a 13-0 Harper lead in the first quarter.
Then the momentum changed with Powers ripping off 32 unanswered points and a 32-13 1A 6-man state title win over the Hornets.
Powers, senior heavy with six players graduating this year, returned back to the run game, wearing down the Hornets as the game progressed. The Cruisers put up 205 yards of offense in the second half while Harper was only able to put together 44 yards of offense in the half. Tied at 13 at halftime, Powers failed to throw a single pass in the second half.
Cope Christensen picked up Harper’s first score early in the first quarter on a 3-yard run. The second score for the Hornets came off a short pass from Richard Joyce to Madoxx Martinez with both scores coming off interceptions earlier.
The high powered, high scoring Hornets were stymied by the Powers defense with sacks by the Cruisers killing Harper drives in the second half.
While Powers hits the field next season without six seniors, Harper will be without the services of their lone senior, Gavin Allaire. Nine Hornets will enter next season’s practice as seniors and with the experience of a state title game to build upon.
