What a game.
In what was most likely Canby's toughest matchup and opponent since the six-point overtime loss to Westview, the Cougars grinded out a 28-21 victory over Sprague in the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs at Sprague High School.
It was the type of game that really showed the character of this team, facing an early deficit and not taking their first lead until late in the second half and hanging on against a team on its home field in a tough environment.
Canby did it with defense, holding a team that was used to scoring more than 40 points per game to just 21 points.
My recap,
Video: Defense propels Canby into state quarterfinals:
“It’s a huge win,” senior Cody Smith said. “We came in knowing they’re a great offensive team and it was going to be an offensive battle. We prepared hard all week on defense, changed some things up and got a lot of people back.
“The defense held out well. They averaged 40 points per game and we held them to 21.”
The 21 points was a season low for the Olympians, who had scored 40 points or more in seven of their nine games played this season. Their previous low was 32 points in a 35-32 loss to South Salem.
“To come back here and pretty much take down a team that was averaging 40 points and hold them to 21, that’s amazing,” senior Mike Raub said.
B. Scott Anderson, Salem Statesman-Journal,
No. 3 Canby rallies to oust Olympians in see-saw battle:
With one sailing ball, Sprague High's season came to an end Friday in a 28-21 loss to No. 3-ranked Canby in the second round of the OSAA Class 6A state playoffs.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the potent Sprague offense was driving down the field for a potential game-tying score before quarterback Jeff Kidd saw a quarterback's worst nightmare: a snap from center that sailed over his head.
Kidd hustled to the ball and was tackled for a 14-yard loss. Sprague was forced to punt and never got the ball back as Canby milked the final 2:53 off the clock and defeated the Olympians.
"That was definitely a turning point of momentum," said Kidd, a senior who finished 14 of 24 for 174 yards.
Videos from Friday night's game can be found here at the
Canby Herald and at
KGW.com
The Cougars will now face Centennial in the Class 6A state quarterfinals next week. The game will most likely be Friday at 7 p.m., but the location of the game has yet to be determined due to the field conditions at Cougar Stadium at Canby High School.
The game could be moved to a nearby turf field, or remain at CHS. That decision will be made by Monday afternoon.
Canby will face a Centennial team that defeated Clackamas, 42-21, on Friday night for its first state-playoff victory since 1993.
Jerry Ulmer, The Oregonian,
Centennial 42, Clackamas 21:
The last time Centennial won a football playoff game, coach
Chris Knudsen was early in his 24-year tenure and many of the current
players were learning how to walk.
But Friday night -- after
seven one-and-dones since they made the 1993 semifinals, including the
past four years -- the Eagles finally put another notch in their belts.
Mt. Hood Conference champion Centennial (8-3) rushed for 406
yards on a muddy field and pulled away in the second half to beat
Clackamas 42-21 in an Oregon School Activities Association Class 6A
second-round game. The Eagles will play No. 3 Canby in the quarterfinals next week.
"This means the world, man," Eagles
senior Kevin Bannister said. "The Mt. Hood title was the biggest thing
for Knudsen, but now we've got a playoff win. It's amazing."
David Ball, Gresham Outlook,
Centennial eliminates Cavs 42-21:
The win sets the stage for a quarterfinal showdown at Pacific champion Canby in next Friday’s quarterfinals.
“We’re happy to represent our community and people are pretty excited about this,” (Centennial coach Chris) Knudsen said.
Other scores from Friday's action in the second round
Jesuit 41, SOUTH MEDFORD 14
GRANT 50, Central Catholic 14
West Linn 46, WESTVIEW 34
WEST SALEM 42, Roseburg 7
Canby 28, SPRAGUE 21
CENTENNIAL 42, Clackamas 21
Sheldon 26, ALOHA 13
LAKE OSWEGO 24, South Salem 9
