Prospector Garrett McConnell (25) jumps on the ball after Grant Union's kick to Stanfield near the end of the third quarter, Prospector Hayden Young (23) in back.

JOHN DAY – The Grant Union Prospectors claimed their first win of the season last Friday in a hard-fought 38-32 battle with the Stanfield Tigers.

“We did just enough to get the victory,” said Grant Union head coach Jason Miller. “They worked past their mistakes – it was an awesome effort.”

The first quarter had each team getting on the board with a touchdown and ended with Grant Union leading 8-7.

The Prospectors lost their footing in the final moments of the second quarter, but maintained their lead.

Grant Union was ahead 22-13 when Stanfield recovered a Prospector fumble – on the next play the Tigers scored on a 39-yard catch and run.

Stanfield’s failed extra point attempt left the score at 22-19 going into halftime.

Coach Miller spoke with his team in the locker room during the break.

“I told them to buck up, and pick your teammates up who made mistakes,” he said.

Fans were on edge after Stanfield came back in the third quarter, making touchdown on a fourth down with a fake pass and run up the middle.

The Prospectors didn’t let up after losing the lead.

Zack Deiter gained several yards returning the kickoff, and then Leonard Radinovich rushed for a gain of 15 yards.

Garrett McConnell went the distance, rushing for 39 yards to score. Radinovich followed up with a successful conversion to put Grant Union back in the lead, 30-25.

Miller said he warned his team to be ready for Stanfield’s over-the-head passes – and they were.

Radinovich nabbed an interception, setting up a successful drive by the Prospectors to the goal line.

“He made it happen,” Miller said.

In that drive, Hayden Young made a 34-yard rush and quarterback Wade Reimers connected with Tyler Manitsas for the touchdown. The conversion was good, bumping Grant Union’s score up, 38-25.

Although the Tigers managed one more touchdown with an extra point in the fourth quarter, Grant Union was able to hold Stanfield in its final drive.

The Prospectors took a knee when they regained possession in the final seconds of the game.

For the game, Grant Union was 5 of 8 passing for 58 yards and one touchdown. They had 36 rushes for 318 yards.

“Our line play and offensive lines were much improved – our running game was clicking,” Miller said.

Manitsas was pleased with the win.

“I thought we played pretty hard the first half,” he said. “After a good talking up at halftime, we wanted it so bad, and we just knew we had to get it. The first win of the season feels great – we can just carry on from here.”

Grant Union faces the Pilot Rock/Nixyaawii at 7 p.m. Friday in Pilot Rock in nonleague action.

So far this season, the Rockets beat Umatilla 32-26 and lost to Union/Cove 21-49.

“Pilot Rock will be another good team,” Miller said.