PORTLAND -- On the surface, Jesuit's 38-15 home win over Oregon City in a 6A nonleague football game Friday night was just another victory in the 38-year tenure of coach Ken Potter.
The No. 7 Crusaders (2-1) jumped to a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter and controlled much of the game with their offensive line, rushing for 279 of their 457 total yards against the Pioneers (1-2).
In the big picture, though, the win was far from ordinary, marking the 353rd career win for Potter, moving him to No. 1 on the state's all-time list ahead of Dewey Sullivan. It was enough to make Potter reflect on a long journey with the Crusaders that includes a 353-87 record, 24 Metro League titles and four state championships.
“They took a chance on a 27-year-old 37 years ago, and hired me to coach here and to try to lead a program,” Potter said. “And they've been so supportive of me all through the years. I hope I'm still teaching kids educational lessons throughout life that will help them 20, 30 years from now.”
The team presented Potter with a ball signed by the seniors. The Crusaders relished delivering the record victory for their coach.
“It's an amazing feeling being a part of history,” senior running back Dominic Locati said. “He's a great coach, and we'd do anything for him. He just motivates us every day. He's always there for us, no matter the good or the bad. He's always there pushing us to be our best.”
Many former Jesuit players were on hand to witness Potter make history.
“Just knowing everyone was here to watch us, the alumni, it just means everything,” junior receiver Joe Stimpson said. “He's such a great coach. Special memory for us, for sure.”
Mike Hughes, who served as Jesuit's athletic director for 18 years before stepping down last year, offered a broad perspective on Potter's influence at Jesuit.
“Obviously he's a brilliant football coach in the sense of Xs and Os and motivating kids,” Hughes said. “But what people don't know is he's a great high school counselor. It's a holistic aspect, not just being a brilliant coach, but being a wonderful administrator, teacher and role model. That's what we appreciate about him.
“He's touched players not just physically, in the sense of teaching great skills, but emotionally and spiritually, teaching them how to be men of character, compassion and competence.”
Potter admitted that it was a “very emotional” night, but didn't want to get carried away with it.
“Sometimes it's the other people that make more of the hoopla about it,” Potter said. “That's what's hard. You just want to say, 'Can we just relax and be thankful? You don't need to make a big deal about it.' But I don't want to take the fun away from other people, too.”
Jesuit scored touchdowns on its first two possessions, capping drives with a three-yard run by Locati and a 16-yard run by Stimpson. The Crusaders led 21-7 at half and pushed the lead to 31-7 in the fourth quarter.
Locati, who ran for a career-high 104 yards in last week's win over Tigard, topped that performance by running for 183 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. Stimpson had a huge night, rushing for 96 yards and one touchdown on nine carries, catching six passes for 136 yards and one score and amassing 90 return yards.
The Crusaders also got a steady-handed game from their No. 3 quarterback, junior Harper Sage, who started because senior Trey Cleeland suffered a sprained knee against Tigard and the backup, junior Jadyn Hedges, was out after having his appendix removed.
Sage played like a cool veteran, completing 10 of 12 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown, a 35-yard strike to Stimpson to finish the scoring with 2:06 left.
“It was stressful, but I was prepared by my teammates,” Sage said. “All the athletes on my team really helped me make this happen. Honestly, with our run game, we're making plays, that opens up the passing game for me. When you have so many athletes, great offensive line, the protection, it just makes it easier.”
Locati said Sage played “phenomenal.”
“He really stepped up in that role,” Locati said. “I'm super proud of him. You couldn't ask for more.”
Jesuit's offensive line, as it has so many times under Potter, made the difference. The unit of senior center Trent Williamson, junior guards Cooper Wright and Flynn Collins, senior tackle Soren Gaston and junior tackle Quinn Wicklow drove back the Pioneers.
“They're just making open holes for us, and me and Dom are just doing the easy work,” Stimpson said. “They're doing the hard work for us.”
Oregon City finished with 323 yards. Senior running back Mitchell Johnson rushed for 115 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries and caught two passes for 47 yards. Senior quarterback Ben Schneider completed 10 of 26 passes for 167 yards and had a 32-yard touchdown run.
