BEAVERTON – One week after its first-ever win over Metro League powerhouse Jesuit, Mountainside's football team had a chance to make some more history Friday night against visiting Westview.
The eighth-ranked Mavericks (6-2, 4-0) didn't disappoint, clinching at least a share of their first league title with a 55-20 rout of the Wildcats (3-5, 2-2). Mountainside, in its seventh varsity season, can win the Metro title outright next week with a win at Beaverton (2-6, 1-3) in the regular-season finale.
“We want to win it outright, so to us, we haven't finished yet,” Mountainside second-year coach Keanon Lowe said. “This one is one giant step forward. We've taken kind of a stronghold of the Metro League. In the history of this young school it's never happened, and this group has been working since January to make it happen.”
Mountainside got its big breakthrough last week by rolling to a 58-35 win at 10-time reigning league champion Jesuit. The Mavericks couldn't afford a hangover against Westview, which had won two in a row and was tied for second place with Jesuit (6-2, 2-1).
“We had to keep our foot on the gas,” junior receiver Sean Gerigk said. “Even though we beat Jesuit, we haven't won league yet. So we had to keep going and not take this game lightly, and just play like every other game. Just play to our standards.”
Junior Jordan Hicks rushed for 130 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries and the Mavericks ran away with their fifth consecutive win.
“It's amazing,” Hicks said. “We've got one more game left, so the job's not finished. It's just been a great season so far, in Metro, especially. We've been able to do what we want, put up points and get stops. We're doing great, and we're looking forward to keep pushing into the playoffs.”
The game started ominously for Mountainside, however. The Mavericks mishandled the opening kickoff and Westview sophomore Xander Kekaualua recovered at the Mavericks' 27-yard line. Seven plays later, junior Heath Thompson rumbled for a 14-yard touchdown run to put the Wildcats up 7-0.
But Mountainside didn't blink, instead overwhelming Westview with a flurry of big plays.
Gerigk returned the next kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown to tie 7-7. Sophomore linebacker Aiden McGuire returned an interception 64 yards for a score to make it 14-7. And after Hicks bolted for a 51-yard touchdown run, the Mavericks blocked a punt and senior Jacob Pimentel recovered in the end zone as the lead grew to 27-7 early in the second quarter.
“That happened, but we responded,” Gerigk said of the early miscue. “We didn't let that affect the rest of the game.”
Lowe liked how his team bounced back.
“We've had tough games early on, and all last year we had ups and downs, so we feel like we've taken our lumps and we've learned those really tough lessons that it takes to be a good football team,” Lowe said. “At this point in the year, we're a mature bunch now. We've grown up. We battle and we understand the process of what it takes to win.”
Junior Cade Mitchell threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to junior Andrew Ramtel and junior Sam Vyhlidal ran for a three-yard score to give Mountainside a 41-13 lead at half. Vyhlidal caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell to make it 48-13 early in the third quarter, signaling the running clock.
Mountainside tacked on its last touchdown late in third quarter when senior Kellen Hicks caught a six-yard touchdown on a halfback pass from sophomore Reece Ballew.
The Mavericks gained 271 yards on 27 plays and Westview had 261 yards on 64 plays. Mitchell completed 5 of 7 passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Wildcats junior quarterback Charlie Barton went 9 of 26 for 80 yards with one interception, connecting with 6-foot-6 senior tight end Peyton Read four times for 50 yards.
Westview's Thompson rushed for 69 yards on 14 carries before leaving the game in the second quarter with a hand injury. Kekaualua had 20 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Mountainside, which entered the night at No. 11 in the OSAA 6A power rankings, not only can wrap up the outright league title next week, but can secure a berth in the 12-team Open playoff bracket. After playing in the secondary Columbia Cup last year, the Mavericks want to test themselves in the higher bracket.
“That would be amazing,” Jordan Hicks said. “I think we can compete with all the teams in the playoffs. Just being able to show everyone what we can do, that would be awesome.”
Gerigk likes how the Mavericks are gelling.
“I think we're hitting our stride,” Gerigk said. “We're playing great since Metro. I feel like the team is together. Everyone is playing unselfish. Everyone wants to win. The pieces are in the right place.”
