Photo Credit: God’s Gift’s Photography
It was an action-packed opening week for high school football in the Basin! Volleyball, soccer, and cross-country runners also competed over the weekend. Here is all you may have missed…
Mazama Wins 12th Consecutive Canal Bowl Behind Potent Rushing Attack
Another Canal Bowl is in the books, as the Mazama Vikings continued their winning streak over the Klamath Union Pelicans with a 34-19 win in front of the home crowd. Brody Mahon led the charge for Mazama, rushing for 193 yards and a touchdown.
The Vikings scored in the opening quarter when quarterback Kellan Lee found paydirt on a four-yard keeper. Mahon would score his touchdown in the second quarter when Mazama extended its lead to 12-0 on a 46-yard rush. Klamath Union would respond with a deep drive into the red zone, only to fumble with Mazama taking it the other way in six plays to punch in another score.
Klamath Union began to fight back with 6:15 to go in the first half, down 20-0. Quarterback Reese Johnson found Wuakeen Saluskin from 52 yards out for a touchdown. Mazama answered with a nine-play drive and a Max Rogers touchdown reception. But Klamath Union wouldn’t go away easily in the first half, scoring one more time on another deep ball, this time to Nolan Baker, to make the score 28-13 at halftime.
In the second half, both defenses settled in. Neither team could score in the third quarter, as Klamath Union’s secondary denied the Vikings’ passing attack, and Mazama stuffed the Pelicans on the ground. But it was Mazama who finally broke through first, with 11:00 remaining in the game, Lee found Rison McDonald for their second scoring connection. The Pelicans scored swiftly, in 20 seconds and three plays, capped off with a 40-yard reception by Nolan Baker.
The Pelicans came close to adding another score late in the fourth quarter, but turned the ball over on downs with less than two minutes remaining.
Mazama’s offense out-gained Klamath Union 510-357. Kellan Lee finished with 180 yards through the air on eight completions and 87 rushing yards for four total scores. Reese Johnson had 357 passing yards and three touchdowns. Nolan Baker led all receivers with 111 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Both teams have home dates next week, as Klamath Union welcomes La Pine on September 11th, while Mazama hosts Mountain View.
Tulelake and Lost River Victorious in Week 1
Tulelake got the season started on Thursday night at the Fair Bowl against Butte Valley. After a tightly contested first quarter where the Bulldogs led 13-12, the Honkers put their foot on the gas and never let up. The Honkers put up 52 points in the second quarter and cruised to a 75-19 victory. Max Robison ran wild, collecting 280 yards on the ground and six touchdowns. Quarterback Ricky Garcia also added two rushing scores.
Lost River earned a victory in their first time out, defeating Colton 41-20 in a neutral-site game played at Lowell High School. Kellen Dunlea returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the first quarter, and later the Raiders added another score on a 17-yard rush from Kyle Diaz. The Raiders led 38-6 at halftime. Dunlea also received a touchdown pass and scored twice on the ground for a day with 207 all-purpose yards.
Chiloquin lost its season opener to 2A Santiam 38-22. The Wolverines are reviving their program after not fielding a team in 2024. Denver Bravo had two passing touchdowns and rushed for a score in the loss. Lalan Wilder and Dilen Black caught the two touchdown passes in the game.
Crosspoint Christian was shut out by the defending 1A State Champion Adrian 44-0. The Antelopes, who haven’t lost a game since 11/11/23, surged to an early 16-0 lead in the first quarter and never relented. Turnovers were the struggle for the Warriors in this game, having thrown five interceptions, leading to two pick-6s and a few lengthy Adrian drives. Chris Kelly led Crosspoint in rushing yards with 37. Kelly also led the squad on defense with nine tackles. Baylon Cundall finished 8/16 passing for 48 yards and three interceptions.
Hornet’s Win Basin’s Best Tournament
The annual Basin’s Best was hosted by Bonanza High School this year. This is the first time the Basin’s Best has been played inside Bonanza’s gym, which opened last fall. Henley claimed the top prize after besting Mazama in the title bout 2-0. Henley didn’t drop a single set en route to the gold. Klamath Union defeated Crosspoint Christian 2-0 in the consolation championship.
Klamath Union Takes Top Spot at Mazama Mud Run
On September 6th, the Vikings hosted the annual cross-country event. Runners of all ages participated in the Mud Run as the event featured a family-friendly 5k run, and a 1-mile kids run, along with the high school and middle school runners. The preseason 4A #1 Klamath Union Pelicans dominated the girls’ side of the race, earning nine spots in the top 10. Hallie Pyfer secured the top spot with a time of 22:11, followed by Mazama’s Sandra Martin, posting a 24:52. The Pelicans’ Quinlynn Spivey, Leona Higgins, and Eleanor Rodriguez complete the Top 5.
On the boys’ side, Paisley’s Connor Douglas posted the fastest time of 23:12, followed by Mazama’s Maxwell Thompson. Paisley’s Cameron Jones, Mazama’s Dillon Rose, and Henley’s Noland Fregoso rounded out the Top 5.
Klamath Union claimed the top spot as a team in both boys and girls races.
Pelicans Soar at Oregon Soccer Showcase
The Klamath Union soccer programs dazzled at the Oregon Soccer Showcase in Bend. On Friday, the Lady Pels blasted Madras 8-0, invoking a mercy-rule decision. Zoe Bitzer knocked in three goals, while Nora Welch and Allie Nelson added two each. Then, on Saturday, KU blanked preseason #3 La Grande 4-0 with Nelson adding a pair more goals en route to the win.
For the boys, Klamath Union played one match in Bend and earned a shutout win over Madras, 5-0.
MyBasin.com Coverage This Week
Our coverage of high school football continues Thursday night with the Gino’s Cafe Game of the Week when Klamath Union hosts La Pine. Then, on Friday night, the Henley Hornets take on the defending 4A State Champions, Marist Catholic.
ATTENTION COACHES & FANS: Please send stats and information to josh@mybasin.com to have them included in these prep roundups.
