Pros dominate in homecoming shutout over Riverside

Published 7:58 pm Thursday, October 11, 2018

There was no letting up Friday as the Grant Union Prospectors applied strong defensive pressure on the Riverside Pirates while racking up touchdowns for a 50-0 victory on their homecoming night.

Junior Russell Hodge led the Prospectors with three touchdowns, rushing for 171 yards.

His brother, freshman Justin Hodge, who rushed for a total of 112 yards, scored two touchdowns.

Justin Hodge brought fans to their feet when he broke away for a 67-yard run on Grant Union’s first possession in the third quarter.

Starting senior quarterback Garrett Lenz scored in the opening moments of the game, and sophomore Taylor Hunt also scored a touchdown run in the second quarter.

Sophomores Devon Stokes and Jordan Hall and freshman Parker Neault snagged interceptions in the shutout.

The Prospectors led 44-0 going into halftime, and younger Grant Union players took the field for most of the second half, including freshman quarterback Maverick Miller.

Grant Union rushed for 422 yards. Lenz connected with Russell Hodge on a 33-yard pass, and Miller threw to Tanler Fuller for a 19-yard pass.

Prospector head coach Jason Miller said his starters performed well in the first half.

“They did exactly what they were asked to do, so it was a great game all around,” he said. “Defense came up big with some turnovers, and offense just marched the ball down the field. There were no big mistakes there.”

The coach said he’s been pleased with Lenz throughout the season.

“Garrett Lenz has done a great job as a leader for us, both on and off the field, by doing it the right way and telling other guys how to do it the right way,” he said.

Lenz said he was happy with how the defense gave the team a “goose-egg” win.

“We had some really good drives, and I want to thank my linemen for getting the blocks that we needed,” he said.

Grant Union lineman junior Drew Lusco said he’s happy with the outcome.

“We made few mistakes, and our secondaries played well,” he said.

Grant Union, ranked No. 18 among 2A OSAA teams, has a 4-3 overall record, 2-0 in the Blue Mountain Conference.

The Prospectors will face the Heppner Mustangs (5-2, 2-0), a team that has traditionally presented a challenge for the Prospectors, at 7 p.m. Friday on the road.

“That’s going to be a tough one, and we’ve got to show up and play with some intensity and hopefully get that league win,” coach Miller said.

Grant Union will host the Weston-McEwen TigerScots for the Prospectors’ final regular season game on Friday, Oct. 26.

Grant Union vs. Riverside

Russell Hodge: 3 touchdowns, 1 conversion

Justin Hodge: 2 touchdowns

Taylor Hunt: 1 touchdown, 1 conversion

Garrett Lenz: 1 touchdown, 1 conversion

Jordan Hall: 1 conversion, interception

Devon Stokes: interception

Parker Neault: interception

2A Special District 6 standings

Team: league record/overall record, points scored/points allowed, OSAA ranking

Heppner: 2-0/5-2, 187/102, No. 9

Grant Union: 2-0/4-3, 172/119, No. 18

Weston-McEwen: 2-1/2-4, 147/154, No. 28

Stanfield: 0-2/0-6, 68/220, No. 35

Riverside: 0-3/0-6, 12/320, No. 34