The Burns football team opened up Eastern Oregon League (EOL) play with a 40-14 win over Umatilla on Friday, Sept. 30.

The Hilanders scored on their first possession, going 65 yards in just three plays to take a 6-0 lead with just over a minute gone in the game. Bryce Goss completed the first-down pass to Jake Blackburn for a 5-yard gain, and then Goss completed a 50-yard pass to Kyle Robey to take the Hilanders down to the Vikings’ 10. Evan Gunderson finished off the drive with a 10-yard TD run.

Midway through the second quarter, Burns took a 12-0 lead on a 2-yard run by Goss.

The Hilander defense forced Umatilla out on downs and took over at their own 38. Burns drove the length of the field in seven plays, getting the score on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Goss to Zane Bailey. The two-point conversion was good on a toss from Goss to Blackburn, and the Hilanders were up 20-0 at halftime.

The Vikings had to punt on the first possession of the second half, and the Hilanders began their drive at the Umatilla 41. Two completions by Goss and a 9-yard run by Gunderson placed the ball at the Umatilla 4-yard line, and Goss finished the drive with a 4-yard run. Scott Davies ran in the two-point conversion to put Burns ahead 28-0.

Another short punt by Umatilla set Burns up at the Vikings’ 33-yard line, and Gunderson raced in from 30 yards out on second down to make it 34-0.

The Hilanders’ Zane Taylor came up with an interception at the start of the fourth quarter, and the Hilanders put together a 15-play, 81-yard drive, capped off by an 8-yard run by Goss, for a 40-0 advantage.

Umatilla scored twice in the last four minutes of the game for the final score.

Goss completed 20 of 30 passes for 220 yards and one score, and ran for 56 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries.

Gunderson finished with 93 yards and two touchdowns on 12 attempts. He also caught three passes for 31 yards.

Robey finished with four receptions for 74 yards, Blackburn had five catches for 29 yards, Bailey two receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown, and Hyrum Paramore had two catches for 24 yards.

With the win, Burns improved to 4-1 overall, while Umatilla fell to 4-1.

The Hilanders continue EOL play on Friday, Oct. 7, when they host the Nyssa Bulldogs. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

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The Burns JV football team defeated Nyssa 40-13 on Monday, Sept. 26.

With the win, the Hilanders improved to 3-0 on the season. Burns also defeated Sisters and La Pine this season.