GRESHAM – It was a slow start to the season for the Roseburg football team, as the Indians struggled to maintain drives and couldn’t keep up with the Gresham Gophers in a 23-6 loss on Saturday.

The Indians opened the season with a drive that marched from their own 24 yard line into Gresham territory. Yet, Roseburg couldn’t keep the momentum going and eventually the series ended with a punt, an all to familiar fate for the Indians.

Roseburg punted on four of its six first half possessions and was held scoreless going into halftime. Meanwhile, the Gophers took the lead on the first of three Xaviver McNack touchdown runs. The senior took the first play of Gresham’s second series 50 yards to the end zone to put the Gophers up 7-0.

The Indians held Gresham (1-0) in check through much of the second quarter. Sophomore Zack Mandera ended one drive with an interception and the Roseburg (0-1) defense forced a punt with under four minutes remaining before the half. But The Indians couldn’t muster up any offense and their final drive of the first half stalled deep in their own territory.

With their backs up against their own end line, the Indians had to punt, but the long snap to punter Tanner Hunt sailed too high and he was forced to just tap the ball out the back of the end zone for a safety. The Gophers wen to the locker room up 9-0.

Gresham struck first in the second half by making the most of a Roseburg miscue. A Roseburg player mistakenly touched a punt as the ball was settling deep in Indians territory and the Gophers pounced on the ball to regain possession. McNack found pay dirt on the next play, scoring from five yards out to put Gresham up 16-0.

Roseburg responded with its only scoring drive of the night. Quarterback Sam Tibbets found a wide open Garrett Russell up the middle of the field and made the connection for a 47-yard touchdown. The PAT was missed and the Indians were back within 10.

In response, Gresham methodically ran out the rest of the third quarter clock and scored for the final time early in the fourth on a 5-yard run by McNack. The drive took seven minutes to complete and put the Gophers up 23-6.

Roseburg fumbled and turned the ball over on downs with its next two possessions. Gresham was able to take a knee to end the game. It was Gresham’s first win on the field since a 27-7 win over Centennial on October 31, 2014. That game was later forfeited by Gresham for use of an ineligible player. The Gopher went without a win last year, the first winless season in school history.

Roseburg, meanwhile, is riding a six-game losing streak dating back to last season.

Up next, the Roseburg Indians will host the David Douglas Scots on Friday, September 10.

RHS 0;0;6;0 – 6
GHS 7;2;7;7 – 23

Scoring Summary:
1st Qtr 1:50 – Gresham’s Xaviver McNack 50 yd run, kick good – Gresham leads 7-0
2nd Qtr 0:27.8 – Gresham Safety – Gresham leads 9-0
3rd Qtr 7:52 – Gresham’s X. McNack 5 yd run, kick good – Gresham leads 16-0
3rd Qtr – Roseburg’s Sam Tibbets passes 47 yds to Garrett Russell, kick failed – Gresham leads 16-6
4th Qtr 10:44 – Gresham’s X. McNack 5 yd run, kick good – Gresham leads 23-6