Turnovers derail Roseburg’s chances in 41-21 loss to Willamette
Roseburg’s Tyler Rietmann (23) breaks away from the pack for a touchdown during a football game against Willamette Friday in Roseburg. (PHOTO: Nathan Miller/The News-Review)
The Willamette Wolverines turned four Roseburg turnovers into 14 points in the second quarter and pulled away for a 41-21 victory in a Special District 4 contest Friday at Finlay Field.
Former Roseburg Indian Maveryck Akers shined for Willamette with five rushing touchdowns, helping keep the Wolverines undefeated and in a tie for first place with Churchill.
“Obviously you’d like to come out on the other side of that with a win, but I can’t express how proud I am that the fight was never gone,” Roseburg coach Matt Watson said. “Not at any point did I ever see anybody say we’re done.”
Akers scored his first touchdown on the opening drive of the game. The 5-foot-11, 180 pound junior crossed the goal line from three yards out.
Roseburg (2-4, 1-4 SD4) tied the score later in the period on a 10-yard run by quarterback Corey Kimball. The junior returned from injury after a one-game absence and finished with two rushing scores.
Willamette’s defense elevated its play in the second quarter. The Wolverines recovered a dropped handoff which led to a short field and another 3-yard touchdown run by Akers that stretched Willamette’s lead to 21-7.
Another Roseburg fumble gave the ball back to the Wolverines, but the Indians managed to steal it by back forcing Akers to fumble. Paxton Burke recovered the loose ball.
The turnover trend continued for the Tribe as Kimball went on to throw interceptions on the next two possessions.
Willamette (6-0, 5-0) capitalized on the first pick to set up a 30-yard passing score from quarterback Tre People to Tyson Rather. The Wolverines took a 28-7 lead into the break.
The Indians cut the deficit to 28-14 to begin the second half. Tyler Reitmann scored his first touchdown of the year on a 31-yard run. The senior was Roseburg’s featured back with 88 yards on 16 carries.
“He had the motor that refused to stop. He never did anything that required me to take him out,” Watson said.
It was still a 14-point game going to the final quarter, but the Indians struggled to sustain a drive against Willamette’s stout defense. The Wolverines entered the game with the second best scoring defense in Class 5A.
“That’s a pretty good defense. There were some plays that felt like we were playing against 12 or 13 guys,” Watson said.
Roseburg still managed to pile up 320 total yards of offense against the Wolverines.
Willamette had 341 total yards. People was 13-for-19 through the air for 179 yards. Akers led the Wolverines with 150 yards on the ground.
Roseburg will travel to South Eugene on Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Willamette hosts Churchill Friday at 7 p.m. for battle of league unbeatens.
Willamette;7;21;0;13;—;41
Roseburg;7;0;7;7;—;21
First Quarter
W — Akers 3 run (Newton kick)
R — Kimball 10 run (Michael kick)
Second Quarter
W — Akers 2 run (Newton kick)
W — Akers 3 run (Newton kick)
W — Rather 30 pass from People (Newton kick)
Third Quarter
R — Reitmann 31 run (Michael kick)
Fourth Quarter
W — Akers 36 run (kick failed)
R — Kimball 1 run (Michael kick)
W — Akers 3 run (Newton kick)