Crook County pounds Roosevelt - Central Oregonian

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Lon Austin

Crook County blasted the Roosevelt Roughriders 6-0 on Saturday, winning Special District I, and guaranteeing the team a play-in game.

“We played really well,” head coach Joel Carrillo said. “We focused on getting ready for this big game, and we were ready.”

With the victory, the Cowboys take the Special District I championship, and guarantee the team a play-in match.

The Cowboys opened the scoring just two minutes into the game when Blake George scored the first goal of his high school career. George charged the net, putting a rebound off of Roosevelt’s goalie into the back of the goal.

The goal turned out to be the only score the Cowboys would need as their defense shut down the Roughriders all day. However, the Cowboys weren’t finished scoring. They bombarded the Roughrider goal with shots throughout the game. The Cowboys upped their lead to 3-0 less than 15 minutes into the match as Philipp Spierling scored a pair of goals.

“We passed the ball better,” Carrillo said. “We did a good job of using our skills. Everybody wanted to show what they have learned during the season. Everyone wanted to make a goal. Everybody wanted to show how much we have improved.”

The Cowboys had several more scoring opportunities in the first half, but were unable to add to their lead.

However, the team came out strong to start the second half. Spierling added two more goals in the second half, before Zane Abrams closed out the scoring for the Cowboys with a late goal.

“The end of the game we tried to work more on our teamwork because we wanted to finish well,” Carrillo said. “I’m so proud of the whole team.”

Carrillo added that the team had recently moved some players up from the JV team and that they all played well, especially freshman Michael Burleigh, who saw his first varsity action in the match.

With the win, the Cowboys raised their record to 5-7-1 overall and 2-0 in Special District I while Roosevelt fell to 1-10-3 overall and 0-2 in Special District I.

“We are excited about the opportunity to play for a chance to make the playoffs,” Carrillo said. “The team has worked hard all year to improve their skills.”

Crook County’s play-in match will not be announced until later in the week. However, it is believed that the team will travel to Milton-Freewater to take on McLoughlin High School, the Greater Oregon League Champion on Saturday, Nov. 5.