No. 3 Tualatin left little doubt that it is ready to continue pursuit of its first football state title Friday night.
The Timberwolves, 6A runners-up in two of the last three seasons, had arguably the most impressive victory of Week 1, forcing a running clock in the third quarter on their way to a 54-19 nonleague home win over No. 6 Jesuit.
It was the kind of performance that will only ratchet up expectations for Tualatin.
“I told our guys we've got to avoid the noise,” coach Dom Ferraro said. “It's not going to ruin a season if we don't win a championship. Last year was a phenomenal year. I don't measure our success on that. We're just trying to focus on the here and now, and if it plays out that way, we'll take it.”
It's hard not to like the chances of the Timberwolves with the play of BYU-bound senior quarterback Nolan Keeney and senior receiver Zhaiel Smith, a transfer from reigning state champion Central Catholic. Both were as advertised Friday.
“We made some pretty explosive plays,” Ferraro said. “I wasn't sure if we were going to be as explosive as last year's team. It's kind of funny to say, but you kind of forget how athletic and explosive Nolan Keeney is.”
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Keeney completed 9 of 14 passes for 233 yards and five touchdowns with one interception. He also ran for 62 yards on five carries, and had a 65-yard touchdown run wiped out by a penalty.
“He looked in command,” Ferraro said.
Smith made his presence felt from the start, returning the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. He caught four passes for 143 yards, including touchdowns of 52, 57 and 29 yards, and he had one of the team's four interceptions.
The chemistry between Keeney and Smith, teammates in 7-on-7 competitions, was apparent. Smith, committed to Idaho, was able to exploit Jesuit's man-to-man coverage.
“They were coming up and getting in our receivers' faces and pressing them,” Ferraro said. “You take away the short routes, the only thing that really works are the crossers and deep balls. It was good to see our guys beat that press coverage and be able to stretch the field vertically.”
Tualatin senior Calvin Evans kicked a school-record 47-yard field goal to open a 32-12 lead at half. The Timberwolves also got interceptions from junior Calen Simonelic and senior linemen Luke Schwab and Logan Sunnell.
West Linn 'sharp'
As impressive as Tualatin was in its opener, No. 1 West Linn – its Three Rivers League rival – looked every bit as formidable.
The Lions went to Idaho on Saturday for a 51-14 win at Eagle, a state semifinalist last season. They blew the game open after leading 20-14 late in the second quarter.
“For Game 1, that's as good a performance as I've seen a high school team make in a long, long time,” West Linn coach Jon Eagle said. “Pretty sharp, and against a very quality opponent. We said, 'We have an opportunity to represent not only our families and our team, but our state.' We just wanted to say that everybody in Oregon can walk a little taller today.”
Senior quarterback Baird Gilroy completed 21 of 30 passes for 322 yards, including touchdowns to junior running back Viggo Anderson and senior tight end Baron Naone. The Lions' only punt came late in the fourth quarter.
“Baird executed the offense very well,” Eagle said. “He spread the ball around. I thought he had great composure and presence in the pocket. He was exceptional on third down. We had multiple third- and fourth-down conversions in which he made key throws.”
In addition to his touchdown catch, Anderson rushed for 151 yards and three scores. Senior Will Ingle ran for two touchdowns and senior Danny Wideman had eight catches for 117 yards.
West Linn's offensive line – senior center Tristan Brester, senior guard Ryan Holmes, junior guard Kalani Ioapo and senior tackles Jake Normoyle and Connor Stuart – kept the heat off Gilroy and opened gaps in the defense.
West Linn drove about 80 yards in the last 1:20 of the first half to score on a Gilroy pass to Naone, making it 27-14 at half.
“I was pleased with the execution on that drive, especially for Game 1,” Eagle said.
The Lions dominated the second half as the defense dug in.
“We got some pressure on the quarterback,” Eagle said. “They were having success running the ball early, but as the game went on, the defense played a lot better, made a lot of plays on the ball.”
Mazama's Baldwin runs over KU
Mazama coach Orlyn Culp opted to scrap the team's highly successful veer offense in favor of a pro-style shotgun spread when he replaced Vic Lease this year.
After one game, one thing is clear – the new offense suits senior tailback Kris Baldwin just fine.
The 5-10, 195-pound Baldwin rushed for 342 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries as the 4A No. 9 Vikings blitzed host Klamath Union 55-24 in the Canal Bowl rivalry game Thursday night.
“We know what he's capable to do,” Culp said of Baldwin. “In his career, running the veer, he didn't get that many opportunities to do that because you're spreading those carries between four guys. In this system, it's two or three guys that are spreading those out.”
Baldwin had touchdown runs of 6, 51, 81 and 39 yards.
“He did a good job of reading his blocks and having great feet in the hole or out in space, making great cuts and giving himself a chance to make big plays,” Culp said. “He's got a pretty good stiff-arm. He's pretty thick, put-together. He's very talented. He's put in the time.”
Baldwin told MyBasin.com that the new offense helped him read the defense.
“I just saw holes open up and I just started running that way … the linemen were getting blocks, so I was able to get a couple long runs because of them,” Baldwin said.
Mazama rushed for 454 yards and had a 519-271 edge in total yards as the Vikings won their 11th consecutive game over the Pelicans, giving them a 24-22 lead in the series. Junior quarterback Brody Van Gastel excelled in his first varsity start, running for three touchdowns and passing for another.
Culp said the Vikings played physical and with confidence.
“Implementing a whole new system, they just did a great job of what we asked them to do,” Culp said. “It's a little different, but we still run some triple-option. We don't have everything in that we'd like to do, but we have enough that we can compete at a high level.”
Culp, 60, joined the Mazama staff as an assistant last season and was promoted to head coach after Lease resigned. Culp spent 23 seasons as a head coach in California at Yreka (1996-2015) and Red Bluff (2017-19).
The Vikings not only have a new offense under Culp, but a new look. Their helmets no longer have a winged design, like Michigan, but rather a Viking horn on each side.
Klamath Union sophomore quarterback Reese Johnson completed 16 of 23 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore Anthony Weiser had scoring catches of 73 and 52 yards.
No. 2 takes down No. 1
Senior Gabe Williamson scored on a 36-yard run, then ran for a two-point conversion, in the fourth quarter to lift No. 2 Oakland over top-ranked and reigning 2A champion Lowell 42-35 on Friday night.
Williamson ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns for the Oakers, who avenged last year's 32-18 semifinal loss to the Devils. Senior Kellan Sabo caught three passes for 124 yards and two scores in the win.
Oakland held Lowell star senior tailback JaMar Thurman – who rushed for 2,958 yards and 44 touchdowns and was the 2A offensive player of the year in 2023 – relatively in check. Thurman had 18 carries for 145 yards and two touchdowns and caught a 24-yard scoring pass from junior Carter Harris.
The teams traded touchdowns in a first half that ended 22-22. Oakland went ahead 34-22 in the third quarter on a six-yard touchdown run by senior Coen Egner and a 24-yard scoring pass from sophomore Ryan Fullerton to senior Corbin Hoover.
Lowell bounced back in the fourth quarter to pull ahead 35-34, getting touchdowns on a seven-yard run by Harris and a 40-yard run by Thurman.
Oakland plays at No. 3 Weston-McEwen on Friday.
Deep Echo
Heading into the season, Echo had the seemingly daunting task of replacing eight players from its six-man state championship team, including much of its offensive firepower.
But depth has buoyed the Cougars, who defeated visiting Joseph 58-39 on Friday in a rematch of the 1A-6 final.
“I've got 22 kids on my roster,” coach Thomas VanNice said. “I've got kids who can go in when we need subs. As coaches, we're getting better with rotating guys in. That's what's setting us up to be successful.
“Depth last year was huge. That's what I think took us over the top.”
VanNice is building with six rotational players from last season and a crop of promising newcomers. The nucleus includes the returning starter at quarterback in junior Kohlvin Wyse, who threw six touchdown passes against Joseph.
Wyse is proving to be more of a dual threat, much like last year's team had with running back Dom Curiel, who scored 39 touchdowns and burned defenses with his passing ability.
“He's looking better than ever,” VanNice said. “He's running the ball a lot more. He's kind of stepped up and filled that spot that Dom had, which is huge for us.”
Senior receiver Kayden Smith and junior tight end Mack Murdock each caught three touchdown passes against Joseph. Smith has emerged as the team's top target. Murdock is becoming a pass-catching threat after excelling the last two seasons at defensive end.
“People don't run to his side,” VanNice said of Murdock. “And that was evident against Joseph.”
In Friday's game, Echo shook off a 13-0 deficit to beat Joseph. It was reminiscent of last year's final, when the Cougars fell behind 19-0 and won 47-40.
“We had to settle in,” VanNice said. “We weren't ever nervous. We've been there before. We get it.”
Losing streaks end
Phoenix ended a 33-game losing streak Friday with a 42-0 home win over Brookings-Harbor in a 3A nonleague game. It is the Pirates' first win since beating McLoughlin 36-20 in 2019.
Junior Cody Martin ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries and Payton Turner passed and ran for scores for Phoenix, which held Brookings-Harbor to 131 total yards.
Aloha ended a 27-game skid with a 27-20 home win over Century. The Warriors have dropped from 6A to 5A this year after three consecutive 0-9 seasons.
Sheridan, a 3A school playing a 2A independent schedule, ended its slide at 20 games by beating Jefferson 28-18. Jayden O'Reilly rushed for 209 yards, including the game-clinching 83-yard touchdown in the final two minutes. Travis Logo rushed for 169 yards and two scores, one from 90 yards.
Willamette beat North Eugene 28-0 in a 5A Special District 2 game to snap its losing streak at 12. Senior quarterback Tre People, a transfer from California, threw touchdown passes to Brody Butler and Brody Robinson for the Wolverines, who played their first game under former Sheldon coach Josh Line.
Other highlights from Week 1:
6A
Trailing 13-6 in the third quarter, McMinnville got even on a touchdown pass from Kane Sullivan to Kade Foster and took the lead on a fourth-quarter safety by Nathan Otte to defeat Westview 15-13. … Oregon City built a 29-0 halftime lead and coasted past Grant 36-14. Mitchell Johnson rushed for 201 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries and Ben Schneider completed 12 of 25 passes for 161 yards and three scores, two to Cavan Rogers, who also had an interception and fumble recovery. … Luke Baker ran for two touchdowns, caught a scoring pass and had an interception as Clackamas dispatched Wells 27-16. Dylan Brower threw two touchdown passes in the win. Wyatt Andler ran for two scores for Wells. … In a game halted by lightning with 29 seconds left in the first half, South Medford blanked McNary 28-0. The game was delayed four times by lightning strikes and finally called at about 10 p.m. Bridger Foss ran for three touchdowns. …
North Medford outlasted Grants Pass 33-28 behind Cameron Nix, who rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries. Traeger Healy completed 15 of 27 passes for 190 yards and two scores for the Black Tornado, who had 424 total yards. Treyton Powers had 11 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown catch for the Cavemen. … Sheldon won coach Tyler Martell's debut, overwhelming Tigard 43-13. Rocco Graziano had two touchdown catches and kicked field goals from 45 and 31 yards. Cameron Gilhuber returned a kickoff 80 yards for a score. … Mason Frederickson and Caden McMahon returned interceptions for touchdowns and Mataio Olomua (15 carries, 117yards) returned a kickoff 95 yards for a score for Sandy, which defeated Franklin 38-13. … Sprague rushed for 306 of its 507 yards in a 48-35 win over West Salem, which racked up 514 yards. ...
Liberty picked up its first win under new coach Dustin McGee, beating Barlow 30-20. Maliq Smith had three catches for 166 yards and one touchdown and Ethan Hopper rushed for 135 yards and two scores. Barlow played its first game under coach Steve Andreen. … Central Catholic knocked off Central Catholic (Calif.) 45-29 as Robbie Long passed for four touchdowns, three to Landon Kelsey. … Lake Oswego drilled Sunset 48-12, dominating the first half 42-0. The Lakers played without longtime coach Steve Coury, who was suspended after receiving two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties last week from equipment rules violations. ... Lakeridge's Drew Weiler completed 15 of 17 passes for 182 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-2 win over Jefferson. Zyon Floyd had two scoring catches, both in the first quarter. Ansu Sanoe ran for 89 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
5A
Reigning state champion Wilsonville held off 6A Nelson 27-26, knocking down a pass on a two-point conversion attempt with 1:40 left. Mark Wiepert passed for two touchdowns and ran for two scores for the Wildcats. … Dallas edged Glencoe 10-7 at Hare Field, getting a 49-yard touchdown catch from Graysen Gardner and a 24-yard field goal from Nick Walker. … La Salle Prep won at 6A Lincoln 10-7. Paul Skoro rushed for 149 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries and Vance Sheffield kicked a 27-yard field goal for the Falcons. Elwood Gordon scored on an interception return for Lincoln. … Gus Karpstein had four catches for 127 yards and ran for 49 yards and one touchdown on five carries for Bend in its 23-14 win over West Albany. The Lava Bears kicked three short field goals (two by Marcio Silva, one by Jack Burge) and had four interceptions in a game that had two lightning delays and high AQI readings. ... Ridgeview compiled 515 yards -- 425 rushing -- in beating Crescent Valley 42-28. Crescent Valley's Zeke Thomas completed 22 of 43 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns, three to Truman Brasfield (12 catches, 150 yards). ...
Kellen Oliver passed for three touchdowns and Jackson Heath returned a kickoff for a score to help Canby turn back Newberg 42-22. Deaken Santrizos rushed for 100 yards for Newberg. … Thurston dominated South Eugene 53-0. Noah Blair threw for three touchdowns, one to Ashden Weiler, who also ran for three scores. Cruz Gray had two touchdown runs. … Silverton held on to defeat Mountainside 24-21 as Sawyer Teeney completed 14 of 19 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score. Daniel Kuenzi rushed for 97 yards on 16 carries for the Foxes. Cade Mitchell completed 19 of 31 passes for 241 yards for the Mavericks, who committed 13 penalties for 133 yards in the first half. ... Mountain View's Mason Chambers completed 19 of 24 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns -- seven yards to Jack Foley and 63 yards to Langston Belding -- in a 15-14 win over Lebanon. The Warriors missed the potential tying extra point in the fourth quarter.
4A
Max Nowlin completed 32 of 37 passes for 433 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a score for Scappoose, which downed Baker 55-28. Landon Lite had 10 catches for 148 yards and one touchdown and Brayden Miller had four catches for 75 yards and two scores. Cayden Baker rushed for 87 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries. … Cascade throttled 5A Redmond 47-13, opening a 41-0 lead at half. Cade Coreson threw four touchdown passes, three in the first half to Josiah Hawkins. Bryce Kuenzi had two touchdown runs and an interception. … Philomath led 40-3 at half and defeated Newport 46-10. Caleb Russell completed 9 of 12 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. … Jake White ran for 83 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries to spark Seaside past Junction City 35-28. Leading 28-21 in the fourth quarter, the Seagulls got a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown from Ryder Jackson, who also rushed for 82 yards on 10 carries.
3A
Vale, coming off its big win over two-time reigning 3A champion Cascade Christian, handled 4A La Grande 30-8. Kase Schaffeld had 20 carries for 130 yards and one touchdown for the Vikings, who held the Tigers to nine yards in the second half. … Umatilla's defense had seven sacks and held McLoughlin to 47 total yards in a 27-6 win. Maddex Caballero rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. … Dayton pulled away from an 8-6 halftime lead and buried Elmira 34-12. The Pirates rushed for 418 yards, getting a big game from Asher Maxwell (20 carries, 221 yards, two touchdowns). Makoy Fleeman and Pedro Cisneros had interceptions. ... Lane Gilbert rushed for 129 yards and one touchdown on nine carries and passed for a score to lead Banks past Santiam Christian 35-9. ... Ryder Sawyer passed for three touchdowns and ran for another as Douglas routed Harrisburg 41-0.
2A
Tripp Stewart (10 carries, 102 yards) and Alakae Rodriguez each rushed for two touchdowns as Heppner dropped Colton 34-14. The Mustangs had a 320-137 edge in total yards. … Tanner Brazil propelled Illinois Valley past Bonanza 38-14. He rushed for 118 yards and one touchdown and had 110 receiving yards and a scoring catch. Illinois Valley racked up 412 yards and had three interceptions. … Johnny Mariano rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns for Gervais, which led 14-0 at half and handled Nestucca 46-0. ... Enterprise blanked host Cove 14-0, getting touchdown runs from Nate Cameron in the first quarter and quarterback Tyler Knapp in the fourth quarter. Isaac Bedard had five catches for 123 yards and an interception. ...
Trevon Kuenzi returned a punt for a touchdown and caught two scoring passes, racking up 208 receiving yards, to help carry Regis past Clatskanie 39-14. Korben Schumacher completed 12 of 29 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns. ... Corbett ran away from Central Linn 39-8. Elliott Hunter completed 13 of 18 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns and Zane Davis ran for two scores. Turner Van Hee returned a fumble 69 yards for a touchdown and had a safety. ... Irrigon won at Neah-Kah-Nie 22-16 as freshman Landon Verley passed for two touchdowns, ran for 93 yards and one score and excelled at strong safety with an interception and forced fumble. Thomas Gregg had four sacks and Paul Sanchez forced two fumbles.
1A-8
North Douglas' Hunter Vaughn exploded in an 80-24 win over Chiloquin, rushing for 289 yards and five touchdowns on seven carries. … Riddle beat Yoncalla 60-44 behind Tucker Halstead, who rushed for 178 yards on 10 carries and passed for 117 yards and three touchdowns. Quentin Brown had three touchdown catches and two interceptions. Yoncalla's Jayden Churchwell passed for two touchdowns and ran for two scores.
1A-6
Powers rumbled over Falls City 59-6 as Jayce Shorb rushed for 212 yards and four touchdowns on seven carries and caught four passes for 73 yards and one score. Rene Sears had two catches for 131 yards and one touchdown, ran six times for 69 yards and one score and threw a scoring pass to Shorb. Chris Sickles had a 70-yard touchdown run for Falls City.... Jordan Valley got touchdowns from Jayden Skinner, Lane Jewett and Robert Cheney to down Dayville/Monument/Long Creek 19-6. ... Eddyville Charter topped Gilchrist 51-12 as Parker Crowe rushed for 150 yards and scored three touchdowns, including a 95-yard fumble return. Ashton Fawver rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns, Darian Schultz passed for three scores and the defense had two interceptions and recovered three fumbles. ... Ivan Surcamp rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns, had 110 receiving yards and a scoring catch and an interception as Triangle Lake downed Elkton 39-6. Owen Mooney tossed five touchdown passes, three to Porter Overbaugh. Ezra Pennel had 11 tackles and an interception. ... Prairie City/Burnt River recorded its second shutout, holding Wallowa to 49 yards and forcing six turnovers in a 54-0 win. Freshman Carter Watterson rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns and Sawyer Quinton scored three times. Kingdon Mitchell-Kirby had two sacks and a fumble recovery.
