MOLALLA — The local high school football season is at the time when attrition is starting to take a toll on teams. Such was the case as La Grande rolled into Molalla for a nonleague game on Friday, Sept. 22.

With the Tigers down five starters due to injury and a number of sophomores not only playing their first varsity game, but also starting, La Grande saw Molalla keep the local Indians fans happy with a 20-7 victory over the Tigers.

“We played hard,” La Grande head coach Dalton Sheets said. “When you have young guys playing varsity for the first time, you have mistakes and turnovers and those hurt. We had our chances. We just could not turn them into points.”

Sophomore Mathias Fields took the start at quarterback, playing the game throwing to fellow sophomore Landon Hood.

“We were not real balanced tonight, throwing way more than rushing,” Sheets said.

Sheets is shuffling people around to the extent the lone score by the Tigers came on the hands of converted kicker to wide receiver Korey Newman, a recent addition to the team.

La Grande (1-3 overall) now leaves behind the nonleague preseason and prepares for the 4A Greater Oregon League opener versus Baker (0-4 overall) on Sept. 29 in Baker.

Looking at the GOL opener for both teams, Sheets is anticipating senior quarterback and defensive back Carter Peasley will return to the lineup after sitting on the sidelines due to injury. Sheets is also hoping a few more faces out due to injury will also make a return to take on the much anticipated Bulldog/Tiger opener.