Smaller TD Dominates 6A Wilson in First-Quarter Blowout

Rivehawks’ offensive line waits for a play call on Saturday, March 27 at Sid White Field. They saw a ton of action, running up 27 points in the first quarter. TD defense forced fumbles and had great stands that blanked the bigger 6A Wilson as Kade Wilson delivered a monster game and an interception. Photo: Xavier Orion-Olaez

By Xavier Orion-Olaez

The Dalles Riverhawks faced off against the 6A Wilson Trojans Saturday afternoon at 1 PM. It was the third game of the season for the Riverhawks.

And it was fantastic. 

The Riverhawks came out of that locker room with a mission. 

Let me tell you - Mission Complete. 

To start the game off, The Dalles received the kickoff and kneed it. Their offense drove up the field all the way up to the 1-yard line. On the next play, senior quarterback Skyler Leeson ran it in for the Riverhawks’ first score at the 7:13 mark. Sophomore Fabian Canchola hit the extra point, and the game stood at 7-0.

Two plays later, the Trojans fumbled the snap, and The Dalles recovered. With that boost of confidence, The Dalles once again scored with a 33-yard touchdown run by junior wide receiver Jaxon Pullen at the 6:40 mark. Fabian Canchola once again split the goalposts with the extra point kick, and The Dalles lead 14-0.

Ten seconds later The Dalles forced Wilson to fumble again with sophomore Riley Brock recovering it. The Dalles then came back and scored with a 22-yard touchdown run by Pullen. 

The point after was blocked by the Trojans. 

The game was 20-0. 

The Riverhawks defense came out strong and held Wilson’s offense to a single yard on 4 plays. When the Riverhawks got the ball back, they executed perfect offense. They gained a first down off a run, and on the next play, Skyler Leeson threw a screen pass out to wide receiver Pullen who took it to the house for a 51- yard touchdown. Fabian Canchola hit the point after, and the game was 27-0 with the first quarter ending in a haze of TD offensive smoke. 

TD was on fire. 

The second quarter was a fast one and a defensive battle on both sides. The Riverhawks were incredibly physical. Wilson could do nothing, only getting little runs here and there. The Dalles defense was led by sophomore Kade Wilson who played like a monster. He was involved in what seemed like every tackle and played aggressively, and he appeared to get in the heads of the Trojans. 

In the second quarter, The Riverhawks picked off the Trojans twice - one by Kade Wilson and one by sophomore Ian Preston. 

Coming out of halftime, both teams were slower on offense and neither team scored in the third quarter. 

The fourth quarter was about the same, but The Dalles scored with Skyler Leeson throwing a touchdown to Jaxon Pullen at 8:10. Canchola booted another extra point. Given their huge advantage on the scoreboard, The Dalles put in their second-string players to finish off the game. Riverhawks would go on to win the game 34-0. 

Senior Skyler Leeson throwing to one of his receivers. Photo: Xavier Orion Olaez

Skyler Leeson went 8 for 11 in and connecting on 3 touchdowns. Jaxon Pullen rushed for 126 yards and 4 touchdowns. Senior Jesse Larson led the team in receiving yards with 81.

The Dalles is now 2-1 and it’s time to get pumped for a huge Mid-Columbia rivalry. They play the Hood River Valley Eagles on Friday, April 2, in Hood River at 7 p.m. 

Hood River is 2-2 on the season, taking a thumping from Pendleton and Ridgeview, but blanking Redmond and besting La Salle - a team that beat The Dalles a week ago.