North Eugene holds off Roseburg’s comeback attempt for 28-21 victory
Roseburg quarterback Luke Robbins (18) looks to pass downfield in the fourth quarter as the Indians tried to rally late in a 28-21 loss against the North Eugene Highlanders Friday in Eugene. (PHOTO: Knight Jarecki/The Score)
EUGENE — The North Eugene football team forced three Roseburg turnovers, including a pick-6 in the fourth quarter, and the Highlanders defeated the Indians 28-21 in a Class 5A Special District 4 game Thursday at North Eugene High School.
Roseburg’s back-up quarterback, Luke Robbins, got the start in place of injured signal-caller Corey Kimball. Robbins helped the Indians overcome a 21-0 first half deficit, but his second interception of the night proved to be the difference.
Robbins was hit as he was throwing in the third quarter and North Eugene linebacker Josiah Corsini stepped in front of the pass and weaved his way 66-yards to the endzone to put the Highlanders ahead for good, 28-21.
“Tough one last week. Tough one this week. But holy cow, the fight the kids showed to be able to claw back, to really fight, get after it, to try and turn it into a game and not just roll over was incredible,” Roseburg coach Matt Watson said.
North Eugene (4-2, 4-1 SD4) took advantage of two first quarter turnovers to build an early edge. The Highlanders recovered a fumble on Roseburg’s first drive and scored two plays later on an 11-yard pass from Brody Gilliam to TaeSean Tarusun. North Eugene then got its first interception on Roseburg’s next drive and again only needed two plays to find paydirt. Running back Dae Dae Ireland cruised across the goal line from two yards out to give the Highlanders a 13-0 lead.
The onslaught continued as North Eugene recovered an onside kick to get a second-straight possession and the Highlanders cashed in with an 8-yard run by Grady Kik-Down to stretch the lead to 21-0 early in the second period.
Roseburg (2-3, 1-3) finally found its footing on its third drive of the night. The Tribe marched 10-plays and 79-yards to put a touchdown on the board. Robbins found Noah Nelson for a 19-yard score, cutting the deficit to 21-7.
Paxton Burke picked off a deep pass by Gilliam on North’s next possession and got Roseburg the ball back with 2:13 left in the first half. Two plays later, Kaden Austin took a quick pass from Robbins 75-yards to the house and the Indians trailed 21-14 at the break.
Robbins scored his first rushing touchdown of the season on a 1-yard quarterback keeper in the third quarter that tied the game after senior Jacob Michael hit his third PAT of the night.
“I think it took him a minute to get settled in,” Watson said about Robbins. “But once he got settled in, it was just being the general we needed him to be and he did great. We feel good about our quarterback room.”
After the Highlanders retook the lead with a defensive score, they managed to salt-away the game with a 16-play drive that ate up 8 minutes and 43 seconds of game clock in the fourth quarter. The drive was stopped when Roseburg forced a fumble at the 5-yard line, but there wasn’t enough time left in the game for the Tribe to make it back down the field.
Robbins finished the night going 8-for-14 with 163 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He added 7 carries for 20 yards, with a score and a fumble.
Tyler Reitmann led the Indians with 59 yards on 10 carries. Austin had 97 yards on three receptions to lead Roseburg’s air attack.
Ireland led North Eugene’s ground game with 113 yards on 21 carries. Gilliam completed 13-of-16 pass attempts for 150 yards, a score and an interception. Aidan Hibler had three catches for 51 yards to lead the Highlanders receivers.
Roseburg will return to Finlay Field for a conference showdown against Willamette at 7 p.m. Friday.
Roseburg;0;14;7;0;—;21
North Eugene;13;8;7;0;—;28
First Quarter
NE — Tarusun 11 pass from Gilliam (Morgan kick)
NE — Ireland 2 run (Kick failed)
Second Quarter
NE — Kik-Down 8 run (Ireland run)
R — Nelson 19 pass from Robbins (Michael kick)
R — Austin 75 pass from Robbins (Michael kick)
Third Quarter
R — Robbins 1 run (Michael kick)
NE — Corsini 66 interception return (Morgan kick)