KLAMATH FALLS, Ore – The Henley Hornets (4-0) are well traveled. On Friday night they’ll pack the bus and make the 115-mile trip to Murphy, Oregon to take on the Hidden Valley Mustangs (2-2).
The Hornets are one of the last unbeaten teams in the state, the other being Mazama. Henley has been anchored by a defense that has played beyond expectations. After four weeks, the Hornets have the second-best defense in the Big Sky Conference only allowing 62 points (15.5 per game) and have forced eight turnovers.
Henley also has one of the most potent offenses in the state having scored 145 points (36.2 per game). That metric puts them in a tie for third place with Scappoose and La Grande. Mazama has scored the most with 167 points and Junction City is next with 157. Henley is led by junior running back Logan Whitlock who has rushed for 674 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Whitlock carries the ball for an average of 11.8 yards per carry.
Hidden Valley is in a different kind of position entirely. Second-year head Coach Mike Fanger told Scorebook Live that they have had trouble getting students out to play. “Right now, we only have numbers for one team total. It’s crazy,” said Fanger.
The outlook isn’t terribly grim though for the Mustangs. They have two wins against Newport and Ashland. Last week against the Grizzlies sophomore quarterback Austyn Klinger threw for 90 yards and a touchdown but the player who stole the show was senior running back Daniel Iwamizu. Iwamizu rumbled for 161 yards and scored three times in the 27-20 win for the Mustangs. The senior was also Klinger’s top target with five catches and a touchdown.
Henley visits Hidden Valley Friday night at 7:00 PM. You can watch it for free by clicking this link.
