Photos by Nolan Graham

The Burns Hilander football team beat the Ontario Tigers to start the season off 41-32, at Corbett Memorial Field in Burns on Friday, Aug. 30.

Behind quarter back Jack Wright’s 294 yards in the air, the Burns’ offense amassed 563 yards of total offense.

With each team stalling on their first possessions, the Hilanders struck first when they drove down the field and scored on a Wright to Jaxon Hoyt 15-yard pass for a touchdown. The Hilanders went up 7-0 after a successful extra point kick.

On their next possession, Burns once again struck pay dirt, as Tommy Winn scored on a 19-yard run. Burns went up 13-0 after a missed extra point kick.

The Hilander defense stepped up on Ontario’s ensuing possession, forcing a fumble after a quarterback sack. Burns took over from the nine yard line and needed one play to score when Wright hit Winn out of the backfield for a nine-yard touchdown. The extra point was successful and the Hilanders led 20-0 early in the second quarter.

The Tigers came right back, needing only one play, scoring on a 76-yard touchdown pass. The Hilanders blocked the extra point for a 20-6 lead.

Easton Kemper scored on a four-yard touchdown run on the ensuing series. After the missed extra point, the Hilanders took a 26-6 lead into halftime.

Ontario took possession first in the second half. The Tigers took five plays to reach the endzone, closing the Hilanders’ lead to 26-14.

After a three-and-out on Burns’ next series, the Tigers scored a safety when the ball was snapped over the punters’ head. Burns’ lead shrunk to 26-16.

Not to be outdone, on Ontario’s next possession, the ball sailed over the punters’ head on fourth down, giving Burns two points to go up 28-16.

On Burns’ next possession, Wright hooked-up with Coltin Miller for a 20-yard touchdown pass. An unsuccessful extra point gave the Hilanders a 34-16 lead.

Ontario came right back on their next possession, scoring on a four-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion was successful for the Tigers, closing Burns’ lead to 34-24.

Kemper scored from four-yards out on Burns’ next possession, running around the left side for a touchdown. The extra point kick put the Hilanders up 41-24.

Ontario was able to score one more time, as the Hilanders held on for a 41-32 season opener victory.

Head coach Matt Bruck said of the game, “We had a great first game. We played really well in the first half to go up 26-6, and fought off a second half rally by Ontario to come out with a win.” He continued to say, “Ontario has a great team, and they gave us a great first game match up.”

Burns gained 294 yards in the air, and 271 yards on the ground. Wright finished the game completing 17 of 41 passes and three touchdowns.

Winn led the Hilander rushing attack, gaining 162 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown. Kemper had 54 yards on eight carries and two touchdowns.

Hoyt caught six passes for one touchdown, while Miller finished with five receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown.

Bruck said, “I am incredibly proud of how we played. We have things we need to work on, but we are looking forward to our match up next week against Sisters.”

The Hilanders host the Sisters Outlaws on Friday, Sept. 6, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.