ROSEBURG – The second half comeback by the South Umpqua Lancers football team came up just short in a game against the Cascade Cougars at Roseburg High School Friday night. The Lancers lost 21-34 to the Cougars in a game that was closer than the score indicates.

In the first quarter the Lancers had to punt after a three and out. Cascade drove the field on their first drive by running the ball right at South Umpqua. Cascade had a 53 yard pass play down field that set up a 1 yard TD run from Shane Schnepp but missed the extra point to make it 6-0. On the ensuing possession quarterback Cody Gray through an interception by Kevin Kuenzi at the goal line when the Lancers were challenging to score. Kuenzi returned the interception to the South Umpqua 48 yard line. The Cougars took advantage on another long throw when Brandon Martin got behind the Lancers secondary for a wide open catch for a 37 yard touchdown reception from Quinn Legner. The two-point conversion was no good bringing the Cougars lead to 12-0.

Head coach Steve Stebbins said “Turnovers and a couple big plays that we gave up early in the game. Early in the game is what really cost us; we played a good second half. I think we got beat up a little bit physically, there a good football team.”

South Umpqua after putting a nice drive together turned the ball over on downs after coming up one yard shy of a first down at the Cougars 34 yard line. Cascade punted on their next possession. But once again Cody Gray was intercepted on an athletic play from linebacker Rylee Morris. The Lancers stole back some momentum when they blocked a punt by Cascade that gave them the ball on the Cougars 46 yard line. The Lancers capitalized on the good field position, as Cody Gray threw a touchdown pass to Jonathan Warner to bring the score to 12-7. However on the ensuing drive Cascade’s Quinn Legner attempted a quarterback sneak up the middle where he was able to get away for a 26 yard touchdown run putting the Cougars up 20-7 after a successful two point conversion. After the Lancers had a field goal blocked, Cascade drove down and scored on seven yard touchdown reception by Michael Biddington to put Cascade up 26-7 at half.

“You can’t give up the cheap ones.” Stebbins added “You take away those two plays and it’s a different ball game. Plus were inside the red zone twice and come away with nothing. Early in the ballgame is what really hurt us.”

To start the second half South Umpqua came up with a fumble recovery off a strip sack but we’re intercepted on the very next play. The Lancers were able to force the Cougars to punt and finished off the ensuing drive with a pitch to tight end Justin Thompson who threw the ball back to quarterback Cody Gray for a 26 yard touchdown reception to make it 26-14. After another punt by Cascade, the Lancers came up with huge fourth down conversion on a pass to Taylor Gross, who made a great play to pick up the first down. Then Justin York was given a handoff which he then threw to Chris Martinez for another South Umpqua touchdown bringing the score to 26-21. Cascade got the ball with 6:45 to play in the fourth quarter and put together a lengthy drive where they pounded the run game with several first downs. Justin Marcott eventually scored a rushing touchdown and a two point conversion with less than two minutes to play to seal the game 34-21. The Lancers threw one more interception to essentially end the game on their final drive of the season.

Stebbins said “They handled us up front, and stuffed our run game. We become one dimensional, that’s not the best for us. When we can’t run the football, it’s hard. The last drive there showed they kind of wore on us.”

South Umpqua finishes the season with a 6-4 record.

Cascade moves on play Cottage Grove next Friday in the 4A semifinal.