Springfield shows spirit in win

By FRANK HOAGLIN
   The Corvallis Spartans had the game half in the bag heading into the second half of their matchup against the Springfield Millers. All the hosting team had to do was play mistake-free football for one half and they would go into next week's first conference game against Woodburn with two confidence-boosting victories.

   Despite a brilliant first-half of football from Spartans quarterback Matherin Langley, the Corvallis offensive line could not keep it together in the second half, causing several rushes of the senior quarterback.

   The first play of the second half told the story of the night for the Spartans. Langley dropped back to pass, delivered a loft pass across the middle. Having two wide receivers in the area, it should have ended up with a solid completion and a big gain for the Corvallis offense. Springfield's senior cornerback Tielyr Ritnour was there with a beat on the ball, however, and intercepted the pass.

   Fortunately for Langley, two plays later on an end-around by Millers' Omari Thomas, the sophomore wideout was popped by a pair of Spartans defenders, resulting in a fumble and another opportunity for the Spartans offense. But, with a 28-yard field goal attempt by senior kicker Luther Ellenson sailing left, the difference between a win and a loss was literally defined by inches Friday night.

   Two touchdown rushes later and Springfield High found themselves in the drivers seat late in the fourth quarter. One last opportunity to tie the game found Langley scampering into the endzone with less than a minute on the clock, but his rollout pass for the two point conversion was batted away.

   The Spartans would not go easily into the night, however. Senior wideout Andrew Laney picked up the onside attempt on the kickoff, seemingly giving Corvallis one last shot at victory. Four plays later and a big-time stop on fourth down by the Millers defense sent the Spartans into the night with their first loss of the season.

   Next week Corvallis remains at home to host its first conference game against Woodburn.