Sandy falls short in opening game
Chase Allgood / Pamplin Media Group
Sandy's Leaf Cole (8) breaks up a pass intended for Forest Grove's Nick Mulick (11) in the First quarter of Sandy's season opening game on Aug. 29 at Forest Grove.
Heading into a season of uncertainty and rebuilding, the Sandy football team jumped out to a first half lead, but couldn’t hang on as Forest Grove rallied to defeat the Pioneers 16-15, Friday Aug. 29 at Forest Grove High School.
Sandy jumped out to an early first quarter lead when the Pioneers capitalized on a failed Forest Grove gamble on 4th and two at the Sandy 48.
The Pioneers then marched down the field to draw first blood with 5:32 remaining in the first quarter after the drive was aided by a 15-yard penalty, which set Sandy up at the Forest Grove 32-yd line.
After moving to the 7, Pioneer senior quarterback Jerad Spencer found junior Tylin Lutz in the end zone and Lutz caught the ball despite a defender draped all over him for a 7-0 lead.
The high-water mark for Coach Ray Baker's Sandy team was reaching the Forest Grove 25 just before halftime--a region of the field they were not to see again until the closing minutes of the game.
Forest Grove dominated statistically in the first half, out gaining the Pioneers statistics 135 total yards to Sandy's 85, the Pioneers headed into half-time leading 7-0.
For more in-depth coverage, pick up a copy of the Sept. 3 issue of The Sandy Post