OPINION: Sutter comes up short, but future is bright

The game was never out of reach.

But a would-be scoring opportunity was flushed when Sutter turned the ball over on downs at Orland's 6-yard line with 4 minutes remaining in the contest — and just like that, the Huskies were sent packing without a banner.

Sutter fell 14-0 to Orland in the Northern Section Division II championship game on Wednesday night, and knowing coach Ryan Reynolds, you can be sure he's already circled next year's matchup on the calendar.

Wheatland felt Sutter's revenge this season after a 42-0 loss.

Defeats don't sit well with Reynolds and the Huskies, but even in Wednesday's loss, he was completely classy.

"They're just a good football team," Reynolds said following the loss. "They had a great game plan , so I tip my cap to them. They beat us fair and square."

That hasn't always been the case with Reynolds after tough-pill-to-swallow games.

He'll be the first to tell you, he's not always approachable and may need a minute to gather his thoughts.

But in a game of this magnitude, credit the Sutter coach's character.

And maybe he understood the game was always just a touchdown away. After all, defense controlled the action all night. Orland and Sutter were practically even in total yards when things were said and done, 190-184, Orland by six.

And maybe he knows what's to come for his program.

Sutter's freshmen went undefeated with youngsters like Randy Post, Brayden Hungrige and Riley Vickner.

The JV team was again strong this season, and with a ton of starters returning next year, Sutter could be right back in the 2012 title game.

Consider these returners:

Quarterback Trent Little, defensive lineman Garrett Wallace (1st in sacks), linebacker Ryan Staas (2nd in tackles), safety Philip Robledo (1st in tackles), running back Mat Sanders, defensive back Colton Minton (Tied for 1st in interceptions), and a handful of linemen, including Nathan Ahlers.

The No. 2-seeded Huskies may have ended the year with a 10-2 record, but all of those returning starters will remember the two losses — 28-7 and 14-0, both to Orland.

Reynolds will remember headed into the fall as well.

"We'll be back," he said as he walked off with his team.