JOHN DAY – Spectators at Three Flags Field don’t like to be disappointed.

Grant Union defeated Burns 68-6 during the Prospector homecoming Friday, Oct. 10. However, the crowd wasn’t happy early on.

Dustin Lippert returned the opening kickoff of the game for a touchdown, but the run was called back on a penalty for a block in the back. Anger at the call resounded from the stands, but the crowd didn’t have to wait long for a reason to cheer. Grant Union went on to score eight plays and four minutes later.

Tyler Martin ran the ball in from 15 yards out for the first touchdown and added another four minutes later on a 10-yard run.

Grant Union continued to dominate and led 40-0 at halftime. Burns got its chance early in the second half. The Hilanders drove the ball 60 yards and scored on an eight-yard pass from Ethan Bentz to Zachary Dobson.

Apparently expecting a shutout, people on the sidelines and in the stands began screaming “run it back” repeatedly. Cody Williams picked up the kickoff and, with the help of some big blocks, proceeded to do exactly what was asked.

Williams took the ball 86 yards for a touchdown, and the Pros were up by 40 again.

“Cody Williams ran it back for us, which was nice,” Grant Union coach Monty Nash said. “We had one on the opener, but a penalty brought it back. I guess you kind of don’t expect to get an opportunity like that often, but it was there. Williams got the run, but the guys out blocking set it up.”

Williams must have agreed. As he came off the field after the play, he kept asking people on the sidelines who got the blocks and thanking his teammates.

Burns wasn’t able to get anything close to its sole touchdown drive later in the second half. The Hilanders had six drives following the touchdown and all six ended poorly. Three of the drives ended in interceptions, and two of those turned into Pro touchdowns. The first interception turned into a Prospector touchdown on a 30-yard run by Martin.

The Hilanders’ other three drives ended in punts, one of which was blocked by Connor Smith and recovered by Zach Gagnon on the Burns’ 30-yard line. The blocked punt turned into a touchdown on an 11-yard run by Smith.

Ethan Kowing and quarterback Austin Ranft also ran the ball in for touchdowns. Ranft was able to make good use of his arm in the game as well. He threw for 185 yards in the game including two touchdown passes.

Nash said he was pleased with the passing game.

“It was good to see him develop,” Nash said. “He was making some good decisions and that’s nice to see. It’s also something we’ll need as teams begin to key on our run. We need to be able to do both.”

Although the Pros threw for nearly 200 yards, they also put the ball on the ground more often, running for 234 yards. Martin led the team with 75 yards. Smith had 38 yards, Jimmy Cook had 37 and Zane Murray had 26.

Grant Union remains undefeated and is 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the Eastern Oregon League. The Pros will now prepare to head to Nyssa to play at 7 p.m. MST on Friday, Oct. 17.