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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Hot Topics Forum Photo Gallery Past Readers Polls Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Online Games Movie Preview October 7, 2006 Crater crushes Ashland By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Andy Atkinson Ashland's #33 works through the line in the 2nd quarter of the game. CENTRAL POINT — Ashland proved again that it knows how to start with a bang. The rest of the game? That's another story. The Grizzlies scored on their first possession for the second week in a row but were shutout the rest of the way in a 21-7 Southern Sky Conference-opening loss to eighth-ranked Crater Friday night at Dutch Meyer Stadium. Charley Reina gained 129 yards on 23 carries and the Crater defense held Ashland to 61 yards in the second half, as the Grizzlies fell to a ranked opponent for the third time in four games. "We just have got to be able to sustain drives offensively," Ashland head coach Charlie Hall said. "But, we played a pretty good team. Athlete for athlete, they have a lot more speed and a little more strength than we do. I think that showed on offense because they wore us down." The win improves the Comets to 5-1 overall, while Ashland fell to 2-4. In the only other SSC game Friday night, Eagle Point defeated Mazama, 26-20. The Grizzlies stuffed the Comets on their first possession of the game then needed just four plays to go 43 yards, seizing the early lead on Pat Hutchinson's three-yard plunge with 9:05 to go in the opening quarter. Crater eventually bounced back on Cory Staniforth's two-yard quarterback keeper to end the first quarter. Josh Surgeon's point-after kick tied the game. Ashland's defense held strong over the next 11 minutes before a key penalty ended up costing the Grizzlies big. After forcing a three-and-out punt attempt by the Comets, Ashland was called for roughing the punter with a minute left in the first half, giving the Comets a first down from their own 35. The Comets didn't let the mistake go unpunished, marching 65 yards on five plays to seize the lead just before the break. "The coaches had a good game plan, but we just had some inexperience and it showed a little bit," said Ashland's John Paustian, who led the Grizzlies with 7 1/2 tackles. Staniforth's 10-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Peila capped the drive. Crater clinched the game on Reina's 10-yard touchdown run with 4:44 to go in the game. Current Comments: crater is a lot better then us are freshman lost j.v got killed and are varsity lost crater is greater ashland player - Ashland OR - October 9th, 2:12 PM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.