Prep Football: Missed chances cost Roseburg in 21-12 loss at Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — The Roseburg Indians had two costly turnovers in Springfield territory and another end inside the red zone as they came up short in a 21-12 Class 5A Special District 5 loss Friday night at Silke Field.
The loss was Roseburg’s second-in-a-row after starting the season with five consecutive wins. Springfield snapped a 5-game losing streak against the Indians.
Roseburg (5-2, 2-2 Special District 5) will host the Crater Comets for their final home game of the regular season at 7 p.m. Friday.
Springfield (5-2, 2-2) started with scores on the first two drives of the game.
Senior receiver Adam Hernandez snagged a 27-yard catch and took it across the goal line to put the Millers ahead 6-0 on the opening drive. The extra point was blocked by Roseburg Emery Hurtienne.
The Indians marched into Millers’ territory on their opening drive, but a mishandled shotgun snap went through the hands of quarterback RJ Elliott and was picked up by Springfield’s Abe Rhoades. The senior defensive lineman scurried 42 yards to the end zone.
Springfield converted the two-point try on a run by quarterback Brayden Wickersheim to go ahead 14-0.
Eli Rush breathed life into the Indians on the ensuing drive. Rush, who was filling in for injured running back Leto White, broke free on a run up the middle and ripped off a 68-yard touchdown run. The extra point was no good and the Indians trailed 14-6 in the first quarter.
The defenses took over for the remainder of the first half. Roseburg and Springfield combined for four punts over the next five drives.
The Indians had a scoring chance early in the second quarter on a drive that went all the way to the Springfield 9-yard line. On a 4th-and-5 Elliott lofted a screen pass to Rush, but the Millers stopped the play at the line of scrimmage and turned the Indians over on downs.
Roseburg drew within 14-12 on the opening drive of the second half. Elliott connected with Hurtienne on a controversial 29-yard touchdown. Hurtienne hauled in an over-the-shoulder pass from Elliott and he crossed the goal line, but the ball spilled out of Hurtienne’s hands a few steps later.
After a brief discussion, the officials changed the initial call of an incomplete pass and signaled a score for the Indians. Roseburg attempted a two-point try to tie the game but couldn’t complete the pass.
Roseburg remained down by two into the fourth quarter and had a drive march all the way to the Springfield 31-yard line. On a 4th-down play, Roseburg’s change-of-pace quarterback Oscar Kostner under threw a pass to tight end Danner Wertz and Khamani James picked it off to stop the drive.
Springfield sealed the win eight plays later on a 7-yard touchdown run by Saul Te’o. The extra point by Hernandez put the Millers up 21-12 with just 2:47 left to play.
Elliott was 16-for-22 through the air for Roseburg and had a season-high 193 yards. Hurtienne made five catches for a season-high 93 yards. Rush led the way on the ground with 79 yards.
Wickersheim completed 10-of-13 pass attempts for 117 yards. Hernandez was the main recipient with five catches for 64 yards. Colby Kasperek had 10 carries for 74 yards to lead the Springfield rush attack.
Roseburg;6;0;6;0;—;12
Springfield;14;0;0;7;—;21
First Quarter
S — Hernandez 27 pass from Wickersheim (Kick fail)
S — Rhoades 42 fumble recovery (Wickersheim run)
R — Rush 68 run (Kick fail)
Third Quarter
R — Hurtienne 29 pass from Elliott (Pass fail)
Fourth Quarter
S — Te’o 7 run (Hernandez kick)
