File photo – Max Hough

The Corsairs fell short in their bid for a conference championship with an 82-34 loss at Feather River on Saturday, but they will play in a bowl game next week, although it remains to be seen whether they will host one.

It has been a tremendous return to the football field for Redwoods this season after a two-year hiatus, with Saturday’s loss ending a seven-game winning streak.

With a 4-1 record in the American Pacific-7 Conference (7-3 overall), the Corsairs finish second in the standings and will find out their bowl opponent and venue on Sunday.

The Corsairs have not won a bowl game since 1993, when current head coach Jason White was a first-year assistant with the team, and they have gone 0-6 in the postseason since then.

“We’re hoping to change that,” White said.

On Saturday, a young CR team that features just one sophomore was out-played by the high-flying and experienced Golden Eagles, who scored a season-high in points.

Three fumbles and a muffed punt didn’t help matters for the visitors, who were unable to keep pace because of that.

Former Fortuna Husky Max Hough, however, had another big game despite the loss, throwing for four more touchdowns and no interceptions.

In six starts this season, Hough has now thrown 22 TDs and just one interception, and he has not thrown a pick in five straight games.

He got plenty of help from an offensive line that has played well this year and a unit that has grown as the season has progressed.

“We only gave up two sacks and they gave him a lot of time to throw the ball,” White said.

A talented and deep group of receivers also continues to play well, with Kaleb Price, Jayden Burns, Sean LaChapelle and Nathan Lopez all pulling down a TD catch.

“Our receiving corps, the whole group, played well,” White said. “And I’m proud of our defense. They battled and battled. That offense is a well-oiled machine and they did a good job.”

Emmanuel Igbonagwam also ran in for a TD in the win.

The Feather River roster features 37 sophomores, many whom have been with the team for three seasons because of COVID.

White added that it was also “the best coached team we’ve faced all year.”