KAJO 99.7FM - Local Sports

Come from Behind OT Win Propels Caveman Football

Down three touchdowns the Grants Pass Cavemen came from behind in overtime, with the backup quarterback at the helm, to defeat the 5th ranked team in the state Friday night at Mel Ingram Field 49 to 48 over Nelson High. The Cavemen, coming off a successful season last year, and with many returning lettermen, were ranked 10th in the preseason poll and had a senior quarterback who was already a three-year starter. The story really starts in the first quarter when Jordan Rossetta showed signs his throwing arm was bothering him. He then lifted a pass into the end zone that floated free and fell short, dropping into the hands of a fast Nelson defender who sprinted 100 yards for the first touchdown of the game. Aaron Hart came on in relief of Rossetta, who was seen taking off his shoulder pads on the sideline. On his second play at quarterback he dropped a short pass off to James Traylor who sprinted over 80 yards to tie the score. Then penalties began to hurt Grants Pass but the team seemed to rebound in the second half but found themselves facing a 42 to 21 deficit.. In the final two minutes the Cavemen had battled back to within 8 points. Their ensuing kickoff was an onside kick with Grants Pass recovering near midfield. They needed a touchdown and two point conversion to force the overtime and did so with just seconds left on the clock that Nelson was unable to convert. In overtime Nelson scored first but the Cavemen blocked the extra point. The Caveman then scored and converted the one point try for the win. . Treyton Powers rushed for over 100 yards and two scores. James Traylor had over 100 yards receiving and two scores. Aaron Hart, a junior in relief of Jordan Rossetta, passed for five touchdowns and over 300 yards, in what we believe was his first varsity action as a quarterbackThe Cavemen go on the road next Friday to face the Westview Wildcats in their first varsity game of the season.

Posted on 8/29/26 10:51AM by Chuck Benson

Cavemen Football Ranked 10th in Preseason

The first OSAA Coaches Poll on the High School Football season is out and the Grants Pass Cavemen are ranked 10th in the state while they prepare for their first game this Friday when they host the Nelson Hawks, who are ranked 5th in the state. The Cavemen may have one of the toughest schedules in the state because they also will play 6th ranked Willamette on October 16th and they conclude the regular season with 3rd ranked Central Catholic. Add to that the Cavemen host the top 5A school in the state, Silverton, on September 11th. The Cavemen games will be carried on KAJO live with the pregame airing at 6:30 for a seven o’clock kickoff this Friday. You can get a preview this Thursday night at Abby’s Pizza when they host the Caveman Corner at 6:30 p.m. also on KAJO.

Posted on 8/25/26 8:28AM by Chuck Benson

Medford Advances in Legion AAA Tourney

The Medford Mustangs beat Corvalis 9 to 7 Sunday in the American Legion Triple-A Tournament in Medford. The Mustangs face the Tigard Barbers tonight at 7 p.m.

Posted on 7/27/26 1:43PM by Chuck Benson

Sanderson Captures 9th Tom Rice Memorial Hydroplane Boat Race

Roger Sanderson captured his ninth Boatnik champship capturing the Tom Rice Memorial Whitewater Race Memorial Day.
Sanderson won the first three legs and finish third in the final leg. Jude Hostler in boat 50 was second followed by Drew Dechenne in 10K. Jake Word piloted number 85 to a fourth place finish edging Jess Reinhart in boat 17.
Twenty-one boats began the race just seven finishing that included number 22 Chris Smith and 99 Chris Heath in 6th and 7th.

Posted on 5/25/26 2:57PM by Chuck Benson

Sanderson Hoopa Mother's Day Race

The Cal Ore River Racers headed south this past weekend for the 2026 Hoopa Mother’s Day Race to open the U.S. Championship Series. Wily veteran Roger Sanderson won 4 out of 5 legs to take the overall win with Defending Boatnik Champion and 2nd year racer Houston Ely of Grants Pass won the final leg of the race to take second overall.

Jude Hostler was 3rd followed by Matt Head and Chris Heath. Grants Pass rookie Gage Blay was 6th in his first race.

The series turns to the Tom Rice Memorial Cup Race at Boatnik in 2 weeks.

Posted on 5/11/26 8:56AM by Chuck Benson

Cavemen Outscore Westview 15 to 7; Win #2

The Grants Pass Cavemen won their first game of the season, 13 to 12 against the Putnam Kingsmen at the Mountainside Spring Break Tournament Tuesday Then grabbed their second today by outscoring the Westview Wildcats 15 to 7. Cavmen Erick Pezqueda and Nate Bassett led the team both on the mound and behind the plate. Pezqueda started the game and held the Wildcats to three hits through five innings and left with the game tied at 7. Bassett finished the final two innings giving up just one hit. The Cavemen pushed eight runs across in the sixth inning. Bassett and Pezqueda each had two RBI’s along with Ryan Sedivy and Cameron Holland. The Caveman take their 2 and 5 record into their final game at the Spring Break tournament against an opponent yet to be determined.

Posted on 3/25/26 1:55PM by Chuck Benson

Mustangs Drop Two in State Tourney

The Hidden Valley Mustangs had a tough trip to the boys 4A State Championship Playoffs dropping two straight games.

The Mustangs battled in their first game, Thursday’s late game, losing in overtime to 10th ranked Estacada 61to 55. Again, Cooper Gagnon paced the Mustangs ripping the nets for 17 points while Senior post Mauricio Mendez hit for 15 and Evan Neufeld added 10.

After dropping an intense late game Thursday, the Mustangs found themselves back on the court Friday morning at 10:45 facing the 3rd ranked Molalla Indians who went on the warpath and handed Hidden Valley a 75 to 53 loss.

Cooper Gagnon and Mauricio Mendez each hit for 13 points in the final game. The Mustangs finish the year with a 17 win, 10 loss record.

Posted on 3/13/26 12:43PM by Chuck Benson

Cavers Ousted from Playoffs by Lakers

Millie Lathen scored 20 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Lady Cavers lost their home playoff game to Lake Oswego 45 to 35 last night at Heater Newman gym. Grants Pass finished the season with a 14 and 11 record.

The Ladys of South Medford led the way for the Southwest Conference with a home win over Newberg 61 to 26. The 4th ranked Panthers advance to face Mountainside, a 49 to 29 winner over Clackamas, on Saturday in Medford. Sheldon’s Lady Irish narrowly escaped with a home win by 3 points over McMinnville 35 5o 32 to next face Sherwood. Roseburg’s Indians lost to Southridge 76 to 30 to end their season.

Posted on 3/5/26 9:45AM by Chuck Benson