Marshfield couldn’t protect a late lead and fell 31-25 to host Jefferson in Portland on Friday.

The Pirates had the edge most of the second half, but the Democrats scored on a touchdown pass in the final three minutes and then stopped Marshfield’s final drive and ran out the clock.

“We had an opportunity to win the game, but we were really overwhelmed by their size on the line on both sides of the ball,” said Marshfield coach Justin Ainsworth. “We had a hard time overcoming their speed in the secondary.

“It’s still disappointing because we had an opportunity to win the game.”

Marshfield fell to 3-2 heading into Thursday night’s Midwestern League opener at home against Churchill. Jefferson got its first win.

Ainsworth pointed out that on a positive note, the Pirates won tough road games at Ashland and Grants Pass and did a lot to get ready for the league opener.

Pirate quarterback Kyle Tedder had two touchdown passes to Ryan Scoville and another to Joey Morgan. Marshfield’s other score came on a double pass, when Tedder threw a lateral to Chris Krajcir, who connected with Morgan for a 60-yard score late in the second quarter that gave Marshfield a 19-15 halftime lead.

Sunset Conference

Bobcats beat Tigers

Myrtle Point won in Bandon to move to 2-0 in Sunset Conference play and set up a big home game against Rogue River in the league’s playoff chase.

The Bobcats got their second straight win behind a big running attack from Brandon Lloyd and Nic Canaday, overcoming Bandon’s passing attack.

The Tigers scored on the second play from scrimmage on a 62-yard pass from Connor Jackson to Jimmy Mack. Jackson later hooked up on long scoring passes to Mack and Michael Bennett, and Mack also had a touchdown run.

But Myrtle Point took a  21-12 halftime lead. Quarterback Kyle Davis had a short scoring run and then a long touchdown pass to Matt Miranda. He also connected on a 35-yard pass to Jason Atkins in the final moments of the second quarter.

Justin Fry recovered a fumble for a Bobcat touchdown early in the third quarter and Canaday and Brandon Marshall clinched the win with scoring runs in the fourth.

“We have to stop the run,” said Bandon coach Motts Thomas. “We did a pretty good job of that in spots. We have to do a better job. (Myrtle Point) played better.”

Myrtle Point, which also won in Reedsport last week, now has two key road wins in the quest for the playoffs, and hosts Rogue River on Thursday. Bandon fell to 0-2 heading into a game at top-ranked Cascade Christian next Saturday.

Challengers crush Coquille

Top-ranked Cascade Christian overcame an early deficit to pound host Coquille 61-13 on Friday.

Coquille’s Alex Meichsner scored the game’s first touchdown by recovering a fumble on a punt in the end zone, but the Challengers rolled up five straight touchdowns to take control.

Tyler Stickler had two of the Challengers’ nine scores, while Ben Joffer scored on a punt return and Jacob Gettman had a pair of touchdown passes.

Joe Harris scored Coquille’s other touchdown.

Things don’t get any easier for the Red Devils, who are 0-2 in league play and next travel to Gold Beach for a Thursday night game.

Chieftains edge Braves

Rogue River rallied from behind in the fourth quarter to beat visiting Reedsport 19-8 on Friday, dropping the Braves to 0-2 in league play.

Reedsport had taken an 8-7 lead when Tyler Hoffman scored on a screen pass from Tyler Strowbridge in the third quarter. Cory Christoffersen added the conversion run.

But Rogue River recovered a fumbled punt — one of seven Reedsport turnovers — to set up the go-ahead touchdown by Christian Reyes in the fourth quarter and Reyes added a clinching score later in the game.

Panthers beat Glide

Gold Beach took a 28-7 halftime lead and made it stand up in a 28-14 win over host Glide on Friday, improving to 2-0 in league play.

No other details were available Friday night.

Glide suffered its first loss of the season.

Far West League

Vikings get first win

Siuslaw got a big night from freshman Peter Tupua to beat host Yamhill-Carlton 28-7 for the Vikings’ first win Friday.

Tupua scored three touchdowns — two on short runs and one on a long fumble return — and his brother, Sonny, added Siuslaw’s other score.

Sonny Tupua carried 26 times for 137 yards and Peter Tupua rushed 11 times for 83 yards.

Bruins top Cougars

Brookings-Harbor pounded Illinois Valley 50-14 in the Bruins’ final nonleague tune-up on Friday.

Dustin Paradis had a pair of rushing touchdowns and also scored on a kick return for the Bruins. Tyler Lueckfeld and Daniel Grubb also had two rushing touchdowns.

“We made some mistakes that we definitely need to clean up,” said Brookings-Harbor coach Vince Longo. “We put the ball on the ground four times tonight. At the same time, offensively, we were able to get on track and get moving and score some points.”

Skyline League

Cruisers win

Powers improved to 2-1 in Skyline League play by beating host North Lake 50-6 on Friday.

Details of the win were not available.

The Cruisers play their first home game Friday, with Prospect scheduled to visit for homecoming. Prospect’s game with Elkton this week was canceled due to illness at Prospect.

VOLLEYBALL

Pacific gets win

Pacific beat visiting New Hope 25-20, 25-23, 21-25, 25-27, 15-11 in a Skyline League match on Friday.

Jesse Culley had nine aces for the Pirates. Mariza Pascasio had 10 digs and Jesse Paulson added 13 kills. Devon Ashdown recorded 16 assists.

“Jesse Paulson stepped up at the net,” said Pacific coach Tiffany Freitag. “Marisa had a great night in the back row.”

New Hope, which is last in the league standings, gave the Pirates a battle.

“Give them credit,” Freitag said. “They got momentum and they ran with it in the third and fourth sets. The girls finally showed that fire and desire and they showed they wanted it bad enough to take it.”

Pacific improved to 2-5 in league play.