Lost River returned to Class 2A last fall coming off the most successful three-year stretch in program history, going 32-3 and winning back-to-back 1A eight-man championships in 2022-23.

The Raiders fell back a little in their first year back, finishing 8-3 and falling 16-12 in the quarterfinals to top seed Heppner — the first time since 2019 they didn’t reach at least the semifinals.

While the transition played a part, a bigger reason was graduating a loaded senior class led by eight-man player of the year Connor Dunlea (now playing at Montana Western) and all-state quarterback Chase McAuliffe.

“But that happens every year,” said coach Dennis Dunlea, who in his 27th season with the program picked up career win No. 200 in a 51-6 rout of Rogue River that improved his team to 5-1 this sea

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