Sports in brief for Oct. 22-25

1A STATE STAYS IN BAKER

Brad Garrett of the OSAA met with Baker City representatives Thursday to sign the contract to hold the 2004-05 Class 1A state basketball tournaments at Baker High School in March.

PINE-EAGLE BEATS COVE

HALFWAY — Pine-Eagle picked a fine time to play its best game of the year Friday against Cove. The Spartans needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and that's just what they got.

Pine-Eagle didn't let a steady rain that swept through Halfway at game time dampen its play on the way to a 38-12 Old Oregon League victory.

The win improves Pine-Eagle's league record to 3-1. Joseph is 4-1, and Wallowa 4-0. Pine-Eagle hosts Joseph Friday. The top two teams in the Old Oregon League advance to the playoffs.

BAKER MERCY RULES PIRATES

Baker football coach Dave Johnson is not one to run up the score against the Bulldogs' opponents. In fact, at times he will try to avoid the 45-point mercy rule allowing his younger players to see more action. But, Friday Johnson could only stand on the sidelines and smile as those younger players struck quickly and helped secure a 45-0 Greater Oregon League victory over Riverside at Boardman.

Baker ended the contest two plays into the fourth quarter, with 11:28 left in the game. Leading 39-0 after three quarters, reserve running back Curtis Lincecum opened the final period with a 46-yard gallop giving Baker a first down on the Riverside 9.

From there, backup quarterback Derek Howerton connected with tight end Cliff DeMastus for the touchdown and the final score.

"It's not my style to 45-point people," Johnson said. "But, the young guys blasted off a long run, then Derek found Cliff for the touchdown.

JOSEPH BEATS POWDER VALLEY

JOSEPH — A banged up Powder Valley football squad had its hands full against Joseph Friday evening in a 66-20 Old Oregon League loss to the Eagles.

Joseph amassed 543 yards and scored 10 touchdowns against the undermanned Badgers.

"We just can't stay healthy," said Powder coach Skye Flanagan.

The Badgers were within captains Justin Forman and Kevin Hopson, and lost quarterback Justus Gray to a deep thigh bruise in the second quarter. And, lineman Stephen Willitts played with a bad shoulder.

"It was tough," Flanagan said.