Local roundup: Burns sweeps Pendleton, Hood River Valley tops Bucks; Pilot Rock earns first win

Burns sweeps Pendleton

PENDLETON — Burns ran its win streak to nine games with a 25-21, 25-20, 25-14 nonleague win over Pendleton on Sept. 17 at Warberg Court.

“This was one of those games where we have to learn from and move on,” Pendleton coach Jodi Primus said. “We didn’t adapt well tonight and our energy and enthusiasm was very low. We have to put this behind us and rebuild.”

Braelyn Gunter led the Bucks (5-9 overall) with 20 service points, four aces, four kills and four blocks.

Pendleton’s Braelyn Gunter (12) serves during a nonleague against Burns on Sept. 17, 2026, at Warberg Court. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)

“Braelyn had a great game,” Primus said.

MJ Gomez added 12 kills and eight digs, McKinley Moore had 17 digs, Caitlin Cooley 16 assists; and Kelsi Primus had 11 service points and two aces.

The Hilanders, ranked No. 3 in the 3A poll, improved to 9-1 overall. They have given up just five sets in 10 matches.

Pendleton is back in action Sept. 22, at La Grande for the Greater Oregon League opener for both teams.

Pendleton’s Aaden Hernandez (2) attempts to evade Jayce Myers, of Hood River, on Sept. 18, 2026, in a nonleague game in Pendleton. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)

Hood River Valley takes advantage of Pendleton miscues for win

PENDLETON — Mistakes continue to haunt Pendleton as Hood River Valley picked up its first win of the season with a 26-13 victory on Sept. 18 at Pendleton High School.

“We continue to make little mistakes that stop our offense,” Pendleton coach Erik Davis said. “Fumbles, bad penalties, bad sacks, snapping a ball over the punter’s head in the end zone. The list kind of goes on, so this week’s bye is much needed to regather and start focusing on La Grande.”

The Eagles (1-2) led 14-7 at the half, then outscored the Bucks (0-4) 12-6 in the second half.

Cole Sazue completed 7 of 10 passes for 63 yards, while Tucker Kuza was 8 of 9 for 49 yards and a 3-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Cox at the end of the game.

Tanner Morgan ran for 56 yards and a touchdown, and Kyrael Davis ran for 26 yards, and Aaden Hernandez had six catches for 45 yards.

Pendleton will host La Grande on Oct. 2, in the Greater Oregon League opener for both teams.

Pendleton quarterback Cole Sazue (10) prepares to throw as Hood River’s Milo Bielen (55) rushes on Sept. 18, 2026, in a nonleague game in Pendleton. (Kathy Aney/The CUJ)

PILOT ROCK 60, TOUCHET (WA) 30 — Freshman Nathan Endersby threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns as the Rockets picked their first win of the season, beating the Redhawks (0-3) on the road.

“It was an all-round gray game for us,” Pilot Rock coach Shane Munkers said. “It feels good to get the first win of the season.”

Endersby opened the scoring with a 73-yard touchdown pass to Tucker Holton. He also threw two scoring passes to Lucas Thieme and one to TayVen Warren.

In the second half, the Rockets (1-3) went to their ground game, where Logan Gourlie ran for 113 yards and one touchdown, and Warren ran for another.

Thieme led Pilot Rock with eight tackles and an interception, while Warren had two interceptions, and Jason Vandaman and Gourlie each had one.

Munkers also credited the defensive line for its play.

“Our defensive line played their hearts out, led by Marshall Hull, Dakota Enriquez and Robbie Schonert.”