MADRAS – The Grant Union football team didn’t let its guard down one minute last week.

The Prospectors shut out Madras 43-0 on their way to their first 4-0 start in at least the last five years. Grant Union narrowly missed a shot at a shutout against La Grande when they gave up a touchdown in the final seconds of the Sept. 19 game.

Grant Union’s defense has been showcased in each game. They have held opponents to an average of nine points a game. They have also held their last two opponents to under 200 total yards a game.

The Pros pushed the White Buffalos back on the ground. Madras ended the day with negative 50 yards rushing and only 51 yards of passing. The Buffalos only earned three first downs – two of them on their opening drive. Madras has not won a game this season.

Grant Union coach Monty Nash credits the team’s unity on defense for the winning performance.

“I think it’s just overall team defense,” Nash said. “Everyone just played well. As a coach it’s hard to tell how well you’re playing when you play a team like that, but I just looked at the numbers and how the kids played.”

Grant Union continued to thrive on the other side of the ball as well. They ran the ball for 422 yards and threw for 125. Tyler Martin led the team in rushing with 148 yards on 17 carries. Zane Murray averaged better than 10 yards a carry with 128 yards on 11 carries and Cody Williams had 79 yards on 11 carries. Murray, Williams and Martin all ran the ball for touchdowns in the first half. The Pros led 22-0 at halftime.

Martin and Murray added a touchdown each in the second half. Austin Ranft hit Dalton Moore with a 21-yard pass for the only receiving touchdown of the game.

“I was fairly pleased with the offense,” Nash said. “We had 10 kids carry the ball again and got to mix everyone in. We only had one fumble in the game. It’s a pretty good percentage to rush the ball 53 times and only have one turnover.”

Grant Union will now face their first and possibly most anticipated Eastern Oregon League opponent, Vale, at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3 at Three Flags Field. Vale defeated the Pros 17-7 Nov. 2 last season and advanced to the state championship game. They ultimately lost 42-0 to Gold Beach. Gold Beach is ranked No. 1 in the state, with Grant Union at No. 2 and Vale at No. 3, according to a 3A coaches poll released Sept. 17.

The Pros and Vikings have only one team to use for direct comparison – Ontario. Grant Union pulled off a big 23-20 win in their season opener against Ontario while Vale fell 20-0 to the Tigers.

“I think you know it feels good to know going in that we beat Ontario and Vale lost,” Nash said. “I also know that on Friday we’ll be facing the best team Vale has put on the field all season. Vale is probably one of the best and most physical teams in the state. I’ll see if I still feel that way after Friday.

“Ontario is a good team, but we can’t rest on our laurels. We have to work and get ready to play Vale. This is one of the steps to take us into the postseason.”