Jimmy Mack ran for two touchdowns and the Bandon football team racked up 283 yards rushing while beating Valley Catholic 28-14 to start the season on Saturday.

“I was really proud of these kids. As a head coach, I wasn’t sure how they were going to react,” said Bandon coach Motts Thomas of the team’s traveling clear to Beaverton for the OSAA endowment game. “They really, really performed.”

Valley Catholic struck first on a 31-yard pass in the first quarter that badly burned Bandon’s secondary.

By the second quarter, though, the Tigers came roaring back. Quarterback Connor Jackson went to the air, going 41 yards downfield to receiver Buster Webb for the score. Fullback Codey Carney broke through for the two-point conversion.

Bandon struck again in the second quarter, this time capping a drive with a 1-yard run by Mack, and Carney also found the end zone for another two points.

After going into halftime up 16-6, Bandon came out strong again in the third quarter. Mack scrambled 25 yards to hit pay dirt once again, but the team missed the extra point attempt.

The Tigers last score came when running back Andy Santos broke open a 49-yard run for a touchdown, but the team again failed the extra point attempt.

Bandon went into the final quarter up 28-6 and having held the Valiants to 72 yards rushing and 60 yards passing.

Motts decided to give some younger guys some playing time, and in the fourth quarter Valley Catholic racked up 100 more rushing yards and 10 yards passing.

The Valiants scored their final touchdown on a 20-yard run, complete with a 2-point conversion.

Mack led the way for the Tigers, rushing for 140 yards on 20 carries. Jackson had 34 yards on five carries.

Motts said he was happy with the team’s performance, with one exception.

“We were where we were supposed to be, but we need to tackle better,” he said. “I was glad we had the chance to play against Valley Catholic. They’re going to be a good team. I’m glad we got them first.”