KLAMATH FALLS, Ore – The Henley Hornets (9-1) earned an opening-round playoff victory over Crook County (5-5) Friday night at Mazama High School.
The Hornets earned the right to host the opening round after scoring the fourth seed in the 16-team OSAA playoff bracket. With home-field advantage and a fair bit of confidence, the Hornets embarked on their first drive of the game and scored in 13 plays and drove 74 yards when quarterback Shaw Stork spotted Luke Bennett for a touchdown. Henley tried to go for a two-point conversion but failed, making the score 6-0.
The second quarter proved to be a stalemate too until the Hornets were forced to punt from their own two-yard line. Stork could not get the kick off and the Cowboys forced a safety. When Crook County got the ball back the Cowboys drove down the field and scored when Kaleb Goozee punched it in from four yards out. The Henley Hornets entered the locker room at halftime down 9-6 in their home playoff game.
At this point with the team down at home, fans would not be blamed if they thought of the 2019 playoff match with The Dalles. That year Henley was the seven seed but was still stunned at home by the Riverhawks 49-18. They couldn’t let that happen again, not this team.
The 2022 Hornets proved quickly that they are a different squad. Immediately after halftime, Logan Whitlock scored from 29 yards out. After a Cowboys turnover on downs, Henley struck again when Shaw Stork pushed his way into the endzone for a score. Then, before the third quarter concluded, Whitlock broke loose again for another touchdown. After a Crook County kick return for a touchdown, the score was 27-15.
In the fourth, the Hornets kept on the gas as Whitlock and Stork each added rushing touchdowns and Chris Janney caught a pass in the endzone as well. Henley came away with a 47-23 win.
With the season on the line, Henley put the ball in the hands of their playmakers. Shaw Stork completed 10/13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. He also carried the ball for 34 yards and two scores. Logan Whitlock dominated, rushing for 250 yards and three touchdowns. And Luke Bennett stepped up from the wide receiver spot hauling in four catches for 67 yards and a score.
Henley will host fifth ranked Estacada in the quarterfinals on Friday night at Mazama High School’s new Viking Field. Coverage will begin at 5:40 on 104.3 FM & 960 AM and on mybasin.com.
