Jacob Austin threw two touchdown passes and the Prairie defense came up with a key late stop to preserve a non-league win at Rainier, Ore.
“Rainier has a tradition of being a physical, powerful team, and it was a physical game,” Prairie coach Terry Hyde said. “Our defense did a great job of shutting down their running game.”
Austin completed touchdown passes of 15 yards to Jason Bracken and 12 yards to Mario Gonzalez sandwiched around a defensive safety as the Falcons built a 16-0 first-quarter lead.
After Rainier cut the deficit to 16-14, Justin Pena’s 1-yard TD run widened the Falcons’ lead.
Trailing 23-20, Rainier had the ball at midfield with inside of minute to play in the fourth quarter with the chance to tie or take the lead when sophomore Taylor Martin intercepted a pass and returned it to the Rainier 10.
The Falcons ran out the clock from there.
PRAIRIE 23, RAINIER 20
Prairie 16 0 0 7–23
Rainier 0 6 0 14–20
First quarter
P — Jason Bracken 15 pass from Jacob Austin (Max Reimer kick)
P — Safety, Rainier player tackled in the end zone
P — Mario Gonzalez 12 pass from Austin (Max Reimer kick)
Second quarter
R — touchdown (kick failed)
Fourth quarter
R — touchdown (run good)
P — Justin Pena 1 run (Reimer kick)
R — touchdown (kick failed)
Individual statistics
RUSHING — Prairie — Austin 6-13, Tyler Duncan 3-13, Nick Gawley 2-21, Colton Prestwich 1-11, Justin Pena 8-14.
PASSING — Prairie — Austin 11-28-2-159.
RECEIVING — Prairie — Bracken 4-81, Preston Brooks 1-7, Mario Gonzalez 2-17, Gawley 4-40.
