HILLSBORO – One of the big questions in 6A football this year is how reigning state champion Central Catholic will move forward without longtime coach Steve Pyne and a three-year starter at quarterback in Cru Newman.
When the curtain went up Friday in a matinee against Leilehua, Hawaii, at Hillsboro Stadium, the Rams looked much like their old selves. They triggered a running clock in the third quarter and coasted to a 35-15 win, their first victory under coach Charlie Landgraf.
“First game, you don't know what to expect,” Landgraf said. “I thought the guys came out and played a solid first half, and then a ton to work on in the second half. That's kind of the message I had with them at the end of the game, we've got to learn how to finish. We can't be a one-half team.”
Senior receiver Landon Kelsey said the game was “super fun” for the Rams, who are No. 2 in the OSAAtoday preseason 6A coaches poll, behind West Linn.
“We didn't really know what to expect with a team coming from Hawaii, but they looked really good on film,” Kelsey said. “We're just excited to get back out here and play because it's been a long August just waiting for this. We've got a lot to work on, but our coach said, 'Go 1-0, no matter what it takes.'”
Junior quarterback Robbie Long impressed in his first varsity start, completing 17 of 24 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns without an interception and running for a score. Long threw scoring passes of 13 yards to Kelsey, 31 yards to junior Dayvion Curtis and 45 yards to junior Tyson Davis.
Long said he was nervous before the game but got into a groove, completing his first seven passes.
“After the first snap, it was just playing football,” Long said. “We have a great wide receiver corps. I have a huge amount of trust in them, so every time I throw them the ball, it's going to be a conversion, and even a touchdown sometimes.”
The Eastern Washington-bound Kelsey was impressed with Long, who won the starting job in camp.
“He exceeded all the standards that I thought, and it's just the first game,” Kelsey said. “We've got a long season to get our timing down. I'm super excited to see where that goes.”
Long, who wears No. 15 in a nod to Patrick Mahomes, showed off his playmaking instincts with some backyard magic.
On a second down at the Leilehua 1-yard line in the second quarter, Long scrambled toward the sideline and made an impressive flip to Kelsey in the end zone for an apparent touchdown, but was ruled out of bounds before he threw the ball. Long came back on the next play and ran for a four-yard touchdown.
In the third quarter, Long was in the grasp of a pass rusher, but as he was falling, he had the awareness to flip the ball in the flat to Davis, who rambled 45 yards to the end zone as the lead grew to 35-0.
“Great athlete, so I think you saw some things there of him being able to make plays off script,” Landgraf said. “First time playing varsity football at the quarterback position, so I'm sure there's a ton that we'll be able to correct on film, and hoping for a big week next week.”
Landgraf said Long's consistency all month and his ability to improvise are what landed him the starting job.
“And then just his demeanor,” Landgraf said. “He's got a cool, calm demeanor about him, that I think guys rally around and appreciate.”
Long, a rotational player on Central Catholic's state championship basketball team as a sophomore, has experience competing in pressure situations. He was purposefully under control Friday.
“I feel like today was good. Week 1, try not to do too much, but do me,” Long said.
Long is developing a rapport with Landgraf, who was a Central Catholic assistant before coaching Marist Catholic to a 4A runner-up finish last season.
“He's a great coach,” Long said. “I knew him my freshman year when he was here, and when I heard he was coming back, it was a great feeling. We created that friendship and that bond that we had earlier.”
Landgraf has deviated from the ways of Pyne, who now coaches Union of Vancouver.
“Everything Pyne did was great, and he acknowledged that, but coming in, you can't have everything the same, being a new coach,” Kelsey said. “We changed our whole offense. … We're just getting into the groove with a whole new offense and a lot of new players. We graduated a lot, but we still have a lot of the same structure and standard.”
Central Catholic gained 270 yards in the first half and finished with a 325-148 edge in total yards. Davis opened the scoring with a seven-yard run and finished with 13 carries for 85 yards and three catches for 76 yards and one touchdown. Senior D'Marieon Gates had four catches for 53 yards, including a 39-yarder to set up the first touchdown.
The Rams defense smothered Leilehua. They got sacks from junior linebackers Andreas Nicolaidis and Donnie Vercher and senior linebacker Evan Brenner. Junior linebacker Cole Thomas had an interception and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Leilehua fell to 1-2 on the season. The Mighty Mules got a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by senior Chaystin Senas and a six-yard scoring run from sophomore Cameron Keeve.
The Rams play host to Central Catholic of Modesto, Calif., next week, then have a bye before beginning their Mt. Hood Conference schedule Sept. 20 at Barlow.
