Varsity 541

Comets stop Pioneers in their tracks

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OREGON CITY — John Beck knew he'd just watched a standout defensive effort. But the Crater football coach didn't know just how stellar it was until he received the cold, hard numbers: two first downs, 8 rushing yards, 20 passing yards.

Oregon City could go nowhere against he Comets Friday, dropping a 17-0 nonconference decision to the Class 5A visitors.

"That's amazing," said Beck. "I'm kind of in shock about that. I knew we were playing good, but 28 yards to a playoff-caliber 6A team. No question, that's just awesome."

Were it not for three turnovers in Pioneer territory, including a lost fumble at the 1 and an interception at the 2, it might have been far more comfortable for the Comets.

As it was, Crater (4-4) led only 7-0 through the first three quarters before getting a 19-yard field goal from Christian Massey and a 14-yard touchdown run from Kenny Fahndrich for breathing room.

The defense, led by tackle Mike Bishop — "They couldn't block him," said Beck — and linebackers Darrio Mobley and Fahndrich, allowed the offense room to sputter.

"Coach (Brad) Eaton had a great defensive game plan, a really good scheme," said Beck. "The kids were flying around, and they were pretty motivated to play against Oregon City. We didn't think Oregon City took us real serious. They took that to heart and played real aggressive and physical."

Crater scored on its second possession, driving only 29 yards in three plays. A 24-yard pass to Fahndrich set up Josh Lokeno's 1-yard TD run.

The fumble at the 1 came on Crater's next series.

"The kids don't get rattled," said Beck. "They just go, 'Geez, it's not a big deal,' then come back and play good defense and get after them. We're doing a really good job of playing good for 48 minutes."

Fahndrich ran for 73 yards and caught three passes for 28 yards, and Lokeno completed 11 of 24 passes for 120 yards to lead the Comet offense.

Beck hopes the performance is a "springboard" to success for the final two weeks.

"We know we have to beat Mazama and Klamath Union to get into the playoffs," he said. "That's our focus right now."

ASHLAND 24, MAZAMA 19 — At Ashland, Talon Haggard-led Ashland scored 17 unanswered points to rally past Mazama in the SSC game at Walter A. Phillips Field.

Ashland (6-2, 2-0 SSC) has won 11 of 13 games decided by eight points or less over the past two seasons but had never overcome a larger fourth-quarter deficit in that span.

Haggard ran for three touchdowns and made the game-saving interception in the final minutes.

The victory was Ashland's fourth straight and ensures the school of consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1999-2000. The Grizzlies remain tied atop the SSC standings with Klamath Union heading into next week's showdown in Klamath Falls.

Mazama (3-5, 0-3 SSC) dominated the game for three quarters, controlling the line of scrimmage, forcing Ashland into mistakes and silencing the homecoming crowd. But leading 19-7, the underdog Vikings couldn't put the sleeping Grizzlies away.

A safety and Haggard's 42-yard scoring dash around left end pulled Ashland within 19-16 with 11:11 left. He ran in from the 2 at 6:02 to give the Grizzlies the lead.

On the final drive, Charlie Sebrell caught two key passes. He had eight receptions for 169 yards.

Haggard ran for 102 yards and passed for 205.

KLAMATH UNION 35, EAGLE POINT 14 — At Eagle Point, senior running back Luke Porter scored three touchdowns and Klamath Union answered Garrett Davis' opening score with 35 unanswered points for the Southern Sky Conference win.

Davis hauled in a 45-yard pass from Austin Marlia in the first quarter to give the Eagles (3-5, 1-2 SSC) a 7-0 lead. But Porter, who had 172 yards on 22 carries, answered with a 9-yard run and Eric Chadderdon followed with an 11-yard reception from John Amos.

Porter hauled in an 8-yard pass from Amos to give Klamath Union (5-3, 2-0 SSC) a 21-7 lead at the break.

Porter added a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Marlia capped the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown.

Skyline Conference

NORTH VALLEY 20, HENLEY 13 — At Merlin, Trevor Woodruff converted two field goals to clinch the victory for North Valley after the teams traded first-half touchdows in the Skyline game.

Woodruff made a 39-yard field goal late in the third quarter to put North Valley (7-1, 2-0 Skyline) ahead 17-13 and was successful on his attempt from 37 with 3:05 to play in the fourth quarter.

Ryan Anderson threw a pair of touchdowns for North Valley, and John Cullen threw two touchdowns for Henley (3-5, 0-2 Skyline).

Henley 7 6 0 0 —13

North Valley 7 7 3 3 —20

NV — D. Anderson 31 pass from R. Anderson (Woodruff kick)

H — Evans 3 pass from Cullen (kick good)

NV — Norman 6 pass from R. Anderson (Woodruff kick)

H — Brewster 6 pass from Cullen (kick failed)

NV — FG Woodruff 39

NV — FG Woodruff 37

HIDDEN VALLEY 40, ILLINOIS VALLEY 3 — At Cave Junction, Todd Woodrum rushed for 162 yards on 19 carries and Spencer Apland tossed two touchdown passes to Chase Kearney in the Skyline win for Hidden Valley (6-1, 3-0 Skyline).

Apland was 5-for-8 for 156 yards and two scores and Kearney caught three passes for 133 yards. The Mustangs managed 254 total yards on 45 carries.

Illinois Valley (1-6, 1-2 Skyline) had just 39 yards on the ground and 166 overall. Quarterback Roger Hults was 7-for-16 passing for 64 yards, and the Cougars' only score was Sam Winter's 33-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Hidden Valley 7 21 6 6 — 40

Illinois Valley 3 0 0 0 — 3

HV — Woodrum 73 run (Powell kick)

IV — FG Winter 33

HV — Kearney 79 pass from Apland (Powell kick)

HV — Sarot 5 run (kick failed)

HV — Kearney 44 pass from Apland (Powell kick)

HV — Sarot 2 run (Powell kick)

HV — Card 76 interception return (run failed)