LA GRANDE — First year La Grande football coach Dalton Sheets had high hopes for the Tigers as he took the field way back in August at a jamboree in Ontario. Sheets had good player numbers, an enthusiasm for his program and looked forward to a great year.

La Grande started the season with a loss to a tough Idaho team, bouncing back with a win over Klamath Union the following week. Then the injuries started, hitting the Tigers in both skill positions and backups were replacing backups as the weeks progressed. By the final few weeks, sophomores were being pulled up from the junior varsity squad not to play, but to start in slots on the varsity team.

The La Grande season came to an end on Friday, Oct. 27, as Ontario picked up a 14-4 victory over La Grande before the hometown La Grande fans. A sputtering offense could not find the end zone for La Grande with the defense putting up the lone points on the board.

Sheets and his coaching staff now look forward to next year, preparing plays and schemes that will not involve outgoing seniors Mason Wolcott, Carter Peasley, Dominic Fields, Griffin Mcllmoil, David Sain, Korey Newman, Zach Winburn, Ridge Kehr, Austin Stockhoff, Evan Elenes, Monson Riley, Lakoda Huff, Eta Tongomi, Cole Hubble and Austin Uhl.

La Grande finish the season with a 2-7 overall record, including a 1-4 4A Special District 5 record and a fifth place showing in the district standings.