Ontario running back Jose Flores looks for daylight as a group of Baker players swarm toward him during first half action of their game Friday night. The Bulldogs used a balanced attack to hand the Tigers a 41-6 Greater Oregon League defeat. (Brandon Ragsdale/For the Enterprise)
ONTARIO – The Baker Bulldogs put the exclamation point on a tough week for the Ontario High School football program Friday night, posting a 41-6 Greater Oregon League win over the Tigers.
Bulldog quarterback Kaden Myer stepped in after starter Spencer Shirtcliff was injured in the first quarter and ended the night 8 of 14 for 158 yards and tossed three touchdown passes as Baker took control early.
The Bulldogs (3-1) piled up 330 yards of offense for the game, built a 21-0 lead at intermission and was ahead 41-0 at the end of the third quarter.
Ontario didn’t score until 4:49 remaining in the game when quarterback Kenji Teramura hooked up with Chaney Larson on a 15-yard scoring toss.
The Bulldogs established jurisdiction and held it against the Tigers, who lost their head coach – Tony Cade – on Thursday. For reasons not made public, Cade resigned abruptly. Tiger assistants Greg Simmons and Larry Nigro are coaching the team now.
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While disappointed by the loss, Simmons said after the contest he was proud of the team.
“These kids are resilient, and they never give up. Baker came in with confidence and they are a tough team,” said Simmons.
Baker coach Jason Ramos said the Tigers “switched things up and had a good game plan.”
“But offensively we were able to do what we needed to do. Our offensive front guys blocked well,” said Ramos.
After Baker grabbed a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter, the Bulldogs went out in front 14-0 on Myer’s 10-yard scoring jaunt with 7:14 to go in the second quarter. Myer hit Riley Flanagan on a 19-yard scoring strike as time ran out in the first half to push the visitors ahead 21-0.
Baker’s Gauge Bloomer’s touchdown run midway through the third frame gave the Bulldogs a 27-0 lead.
Baker scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter to put the game on ice.
Teramura proved to be the key offensive tool for the Tigers and the senior ended the game 7 of 22 for 84 yards and one interception while he piled up 64 yards on 17 carries on the ground.
Ruben Hernandez paced the Tigers receiving effort with three receptions for 39 yards.
Bloomer and Myer led the Bulldogs on the ground, each with 66 yards rushing.
Flanagan ended the game with 79 yards receiving for the visitors.
Ontario (0-4) will travel to the Oregon coast Friday to take on Marshfield of Coos Bay for a 6 p.m. Pacific time contest.
Reporter Pat Caldwell: [email protected] or 541-473-3377.
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