HEPPNER, Ore. - The Waitsburg-Prescott football team was no match for the Heppner Mustangs on Friday, as the Cardinals took a big loss, 45-7.

After running back/ linebacker Chance Leroue went out with a knee injury (which he also injured the week before) in the first quarter, Heppner scored 31 unanswered points in the second quarter and took a 38-0 lead into halftime. WP starters Owen Lanning and Danny Stansell also went out in the second quarter with injuries.

WP Coach Jeff Bartlow said that Leroue will likely be out for several weeks, but Lanning and Stansell will likely return for this week's game at home against Kiona Benton.

"We lost Chance to the same knee injury early in the first quarter and don't have enough depth to be able to play with them," Bartlow said. With Leroue out for a few games, "we have to re-invent ourselves both offensively and defensively."

The Cardinals' lone score came late in the third quarter, trailing 45-0. Devin Acevedo punched across the goal line from a yard out.

Bartlow gave credit to a strong Heppner program. "That is a very quality team and well coached," he said. "They have won their league 14 of 15 years for good reason. I see them in the final four in Oregon and maybe winning the title this year."

The coach also gave credit to his team for not giving up after falling behind. "The guys did not hang their head and played hard," he said. "I was proud of them."

WP goes into this week's game after two straight losses against strong teams. It's an unfamiliar position for the Cardinals, Bartlow said.

"Got to go back to the 2008 season to see us lose two games in a row and be down that much at the half," he said. "So, new territory for us. Our guys did not like it, but we have to embrace it a bit and learn from it."

Friday's game at home against Kiona-Benton begins at 7 p.m.