By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
HARRISBURG, Ore.– For the third-straight year, the St. Paul Football team picked up a massive win over Oakland on Friday night to open the 2026 season.
But. Unlike their previous two meetings, the 2024 2A State Title Game and the first game of the season in 2025, something was different.
St. Paul came out as the aggressor on Friday, as they did last year. Unlike that meeting however, there were no lull. There was no drop off from opening snap to final whistle.
The Buckaroos jumped out to a 32-0 lead. Bricen Britten had two touchdowns and they, St. Paul, kept the running game of the Oakers in check.
“Everyone did their jobs amazingly and we had all of our energy. After that first score down there…the running backs ran really hard, the lineman blocked really well, the Quarterbacks threw the ball well,” said Jack Gregory, who had ten tackles in the game. “We all feed off each other, everyone did their jobs and in turn we continued to do that on defense. Just continued to do our job, carry out plays and understand their play book as the game went on. “
The Buckaroos went into halftime with a 32-8 lead. Oakland got on the board with 40 seconds remaining in the first half off a Kickoff Return score by Zac Dalberti.
St. Paul continued their high energy approach into the second half despite the late half score by the Oakers. The Buckaroos led 46-14 after three quarters and got the running clock going about four minutes into the fourth quarter en route to a 52-14 victory at Harrisburg High School
“This is a great foundation, great first game to start off with. We need to keep working every single week. If we can bring that energy into the next few games, we’ll be set to win,” said Britten, who rushed for 174 yards on the day. “Everyone played a part and the part fit perfectly like a puzzle.”
St. Paul heads to Heppner on September 4 with Oakland heading to Knappa on September 5.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
