Sutter holds off Winters

The Sutter Huskies kept their hold on first place in the Butte View League Friday night, and in the process, managed to extend their BVL winning streak to 17 games.

Quarterback Grant Campbell threw for one score to Leszek Ratajczak, Ryan Cargill ran for another and the Sutter defense forced six turnovers in a 17-6 victory over Winters in the Huskies' final home game of the season.

Cody Shoegren added a field goal for the Huskies, who scored all of their points in the first half, and then had to fight off a determined Winters squad in the second half.

"We knew we were going to be in a dogfight," said Sutter head coach Ryan Reynolds. "They played Wheatland tough last week, and they played hard and hit hard tonight against us."

It was the Sutter defense once again that came up big, particularly in the first quarter. Winters was picked off on their first series, and then fumbled the next two times they had the ball, directly leading to 10 points. Justin Taylor made the interception while Brannon Coughlin fell on both fumbles.

"I have to give a lot of credit to Austin Moorehead and Nick Hecker," Reynolds said. "They were fantastic. They were all over the ball, and while they didn't make the recoveries, the two of them were responsible for causing those turnovers."

Shoegren got the Huskies on the scoreboard just two minutes into the game. Following the interception, he drilled a 33-yard field goal right down the middle of the goalposts.

Coughlin's first fumble recovery set the Huskies up at the Winters' 40. Campbell ran the option and picked up 15 yards. One play later, Campbell went up the middle for another 15 yards, setting the Huskies up with a first down and goal at the five.

Then the ball went to the big 6-foot, 240 pound Cargill. He got four yards on first down, then rumbled in on the next play. Shoegren added the extra point to make the score 10-0.

Sutter would then fumble the next two times on its next two possessions. It would be a theme the rest of the night. Each time the Huskies found themselves in the red zone, a fumble squashed a scoring opportunity.

Winters cut the lead to 10-6 midway in the second quarter after converting a third down-and-25 with a 32-yard pass play to the 3-yard line. On the next play, the Warriors scored the touchdown.

Then came the biggest play of the night for the Huskies.

Following the kickoff, and faced with a third down and 8 on their own 22, Campbell fired a quick pass over the middle to Ratajczak. He broke the tackle and then outraced three defenders down the sidelines for an electrifying 78-yard scoring play. Shoegren booted the extra point and the score was 17-6, where it would remain the rest of the night.

"It started last week, but Grant is beginning to find a groove," said Reynolds. "He made a nice pass for the score, and threw well when we needed it." Campbell finished with 108 passing yards.

Ratajczak also had a big game on defense.

"He was breaking up passes in the secondary all game," added Reynolds. "He had a couple nice punt returns as well."

Next for the Huskies is 0-8 Las Plumas next Friday in Oroville. In two weeks is the season finale at Wheatland that will decide the BVL championship.

"We don't look past anybody," said Reynolds. "We'll have the same focus on Las Plumas as we would any opponent."