Weston-McEwen's Caleb Sprenger (23) heads for the end zone during a state quarterfinal game against Illinois Valley on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Hermiston.

HERMISTON — Weston-McEwen started its backup quarterback and played the second half without running back Maddox King, but the TigerScots were not fazed as they cruised to a 59-18 victory Saturday, Nov. 11, over Illinois Valley in the 2A state quarterfinals at Kennison Field.

“It was a great opportunity with the weapons I had around me,” W-M backup quarterback Bryson Choin said. “It felt easy. We came out and dominated. It was nice to support my team.”

The top-ranked TigerScots (10-0) will play No. 4 Regis in the semifinals at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 at Kennison Field. The Cougars ended their season 7-4.

“We are excited for all of the student athletes who stepped up today,” W-M coach Kenzie Hansell said. “We have some injuries, but they continue to come out fired up. It was awesome. There are only four teams left, and we are one of them.”

The game looked as if it might be a close battle as both teams scored within the first 90 seconds of the game.

W-M scored on a 49-yard pass play from Choin to Caleb Sprenger just 1:12 into the action. The Cougars blocked the PAT for a 6-0 game.

Illinois Valley scored on the opening play of its first drive as Zack Dugas connected with Daniel Polk on a 73-yard touchdown pass. The 2-point conversion failed, making it 6-6.

It was all Weston-McEwen from there.

Choin ran for a 1-yard touchdown to give the TigerScots a 14-6 lead after the first quarter, and King punched the ball in from 3 yards out just 37 seconds into the second quarter for a 22-6 lead.

The Cougars turned the ball over on downs on their next possession, and Spenger ran for a 40-yard touchdown on W-M’s first play of its drive to make it 30-6 with 10:09 to play in the second quarter.

“It became very easy when we knew what they were about,” said Choin, who threw for 123 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 67 yards and three touchdowns. “It flowed like water. It feels very good to move on.”

With starting quarterback Easton Berry nursing an injury, Hansell had confidence in putting Choin, a first-team all-conference wide receiver, under center.

“For starting his first first varsity game in the state quarterfinals, he did an outstanding job,” Hansell said. “The team rallied around him.”

The TigerScots led 44-18 at the half, and the Cougars opened the third quarter with the ball.

Illinois Valley’s possession was short-lived as Tanner Brazil fumbled the ball on the opening play, and Sean Roggerio picked up the loose ball and returned it 48 yards to the end zone. Choin hit Sprenger for the 2-point conversion pass and a 52-18 lead.

The TigerScots forced the running clock with 6:20 left in the third after Choin hit Ethan Reeder for a 20-yard touchdown and a 59-19 lead.

King ran for 110 yards and one touchdown in the first half, while Roggiero had 44 yards rushing and an interception, Sprenger had two catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, and 49 yards rushing on three carries and one touchdown.

“The way Maddox was running, Sean was blocking, Caleb getting into the end zone, and the defense flying around, it was a great day to be a TigerScot/Grizzly,” Hansell said. “A special thanks to Hermiston for letting us play here. We were able to use our speed to our advantage.”

REGIS 27, HEPPNER 20 — The Mustangs kept Rams quarterback Kollin Schumacher in check, but they fell short on the road in their 2A quarterfinal game.

“It was there,” Heppner coach Greg Grant said. “We played hard enough and well enough. I thought the kids would pull it out. It was a razor thin difference between winning and losing.”

Schumacher, who had thrown for 2,660 yards and a state leading 45 touchdowns going into the game, threw for 283 yards, but had just one touchdown. He also was intercepted four times.

The Mustangs (8-3) scored the first touchdown of the game as Cameron Proudfoot picked off Schumacher and returned the ball 44 yards to the end zone for a 6-0 lead.

The Rams (11-0) would score the next three touchdowns for a 21-6 lead early in the second quarter.

Schumacher ran the ball in from 2 yards out, and Noah Richter took off for a 56-yard scoring run for a 14-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Schumacher again scored on a 2-yard run to make it 21-6.

Heppner, which had 171 rushing yards, used a few on its next drive, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Caden George for a 21-12 game at the half.

After a scoreless third, Heppner quarterback Mason Orem dropped back and hit Proudfoot for an 85-yard touchdown pass, and George ran the ball in for the 2-point conversion to pull the Mustangs to within 21-20 with 8:58 remaining in the game.

Schumacher threw his only touchdown pass with 7:07 left in the game, hitting Parker Bartholomew for a 68-yard score and a 27-21 lead.

“We picked him four times, but they had some passes that hurt us,” Grant said. “We did some good things. To their credit, they made one more play than we did all day long.”

The Mustangs got the ball back late in the game, but Regis’ Charlie Miller intercepted Orem with 3:37 left in the game to seal the win.

“Certainly disappointed in being so close, but not disappointed in their play,” Grant said of his team. “We are maturing. Mason did a super job for us.”

On the day, Orem threw for 181 yards and one touchdown, while George and Hayden McMahon each ran for 68 yards, and Proudfoot had 142 yards receiving with a touchdown.

Proudfoot also had two interceptions and five tackles, while Caleb George had five tackles and a quarterback sack. Nick Wenberg had four tackles and an interception. Caden George added three tackles and an interception.

“These are the games that keep you awake at night” Grant said.

The Mustangs will lose seniors Landon Michell, Caden George and Proudfoot, who were 33-7 during their high school career.

“This group, the way they pulled together after Landon’s injury, they defined themselves. I don’t think I have had any better leadership. These three guys (Mitchell, Proudfoot, Caden George) led by example and led their team. Landon led the scout team after he got hurt. It was always about the team and never about him. His willingness to do anything to help us made a huge difference. We lose three outstanding Individuals, and bring back a lot of kids I’m excited to coach next year.”

1A 6-man quarterfinals

ECHO 46, POWERS 18 — Dom Curiel ran for two touchdowns, and threw for two more, as the Cougars steamrolled No. 2 Powers in the 1A 6-man quarterfinals.

It’s just the second-ever playoff win for Echo, and just the second time the Cougars have ever advanced past the quarterfinals.

“They are pretty excited,” Echo coach Thomas VanNice said of his team. “We are playing pretty darn good right now and we are rolling. I feel confident.”

No. 10 Echo (7-3), which has won six games in a row, will play No. 3 Elkton in the semifinals at 1 p.m. Nov. 18 at Hillsboro Stadium. The Cruisers finished their season 8-1.

Powers, which allowed just 69 points heading into the game with Echo, had no answer for Curiel, who ran for 146 yards, had 132 yards receiving and threw for just over 100 yards.

The Cruisers scored on their first play of the game and led 6-0 after the first quarter.

Echo scored early in the second off a 12-yard run by Curiel, then caught a 26-yard pass from Kohlvin Wyse for a 13-6 lead.

Right before the half, the Cruisers turned the ball over on downs. The Cougars took advantage, scoring on a 45-yard scoring pass from Wyse to Wil Thackeray for a 20-6 lead at the half.

Powers regrouped at the half and came out with a quick score to pull within 20-12.

That did not sit well with Curiel, who scampered 12 yards for a touchdown and a 27-12 lead.

The Cruisers scored early in the fourth to make it 27-18, but the Cougars scored the last 19 points of the game to leave no doubt.

Keegin Chitty scored on touchdown passes of 20 and 60 yards from Curiel, and Isiic Wade scored on a 1-yard run to finish things off.

Both of Chitty’s touchdowns were set up by interceptions by Beau Wade and Mack Murdock.

Defensively, Kobe Harwood had seven tackles, four of which were for a loss.

“We were taking care of business,” VanNice said. “I am very proud of them. It’s one of those things, we have faced adversity throughout the year. To get to this position, you have to have that experience of coming from behind. We have that. We started the season 1-3.”