Mixed weekend for Clatsop County football
· Yahoo Sports
It was an up and down weekend for local football teams. Astoria finally kicked off their Cowapa League schedule with a game against a familiar foe, Seaside traveled to Tillamook — and Knappa had a happy homecoming. Here’s the weekend gridiron update.
Astoria left pondering
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Friday night at CMH Field couldn’t have started better for Astoria.
The Braves came into their Sept. 25 matchup with Astoria averaging 39.5 points per game after scoring 58 against Philomath and 48 against Woodburn earlier this season. Taking on undefeated Banks, the underdog Fishermen pitched a shutout in the first quarter. Against a high-powered offense, the game plan from coaches is usually control time of possession. Astoria did that in the opening frame.
After receiving the opening kickoff the Fishermen kept the ball for over seven minutes. Though they were not able to score, the long offensive series kept the ball out of Banks’s hands. The Fishermen defense forced a three and out and things looked promising for Astoria. But the Braves would soon strike behind running back Jaic Lamb. The senior scored from 16 yards out early in the second quarter to open the scoring. Banks would score two more times in the second quarter to take a 17-0 lead into halftime.
The second half was played virtually even, as each team scored one touchdown. Banks opened the half with another touchdown, then Astoria was able to finish a drive. Quarterback Sam Schacher found Cody Johnson in the left corner of the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown. This helped Astoria avoid being shut out by a tough Braves defense.
Though the score looked lopsided, the game really was one of missed opportunity. The Fishermen offense put together three quality drives that stalled out inside the Braves 30 yard line.
“Our bugaboo the last couple weeks has been finishing drives,” Astoria Head Coach Howard Rub said. “I thought we did a lot of good things, moving the ball. We controlled the ball in the first half, which is what you want to do against an explosive offense. Unfortunately we were not able to put the ball over the line, so that was the difference in the score being a little closer and us, potentially, even pulling off a bit of an upset.”
After scoring six touchdowns in their opening game against Stayton, the Fishermen haven’t been able to muster more than two. The last three games Astoria has scored 12, 14 and six points respectively. Rub said this will be the focus moving forward.
“We definitely want to go back and look at some of the things we did in week one, that helped us in the red zone,” Rub said. “We scored six touchdowns in the opening week and it’s been a struggle to get more than two since. I thought our offensive and defensive line did a great job. That’s a big strong physical front and our guys playing both ways did a great job hanging in and making plays.”
“I know the scoreboard doesn’t reflect it but we did a lot of things that winning teams do,” Rub said. “There’s a lot to be proud of.”
Rub gave credit to Johnson. After entering the season as a wide receiver, he stepped into the running back role and provided the Fishermen with a spark, rushing for 46 yards and he also had 44 yards receiving. Since Astoria lost Dominic Cruz to injury in the first game, they’ve been searching for a second running back to pair with workhorse Silas Yates. Yates rushed for 79 yards on 18 carries.
When asked about his team’s prospects moving forward, Rub said he believes the Fishermen will win league games and make October football meaningful.
“We’ve got to fix the penalties on offense,” Rub said. “Just work to be as fundamentally sound as we can and we’re going to win some league games. Make some games at the end of October have some meaning. We’re looking forward to the challenge of doing just that.”
Next up for the Fishermen is another home game against Woodburn. That game will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 2 as Astoria continues the hunt for its win of the season.
Tillamook edges out Seaside
Seaside came up just short against Tillamook on Friday evening.
The Seagulls were coming off a homecoming victory against Taft and hoped to continue the momentum against a Cheesemakers team that was reeling a little bit. Fresh off a forfeit against Scappoose, due to an internal team investigation, the Cheesemakers look to be finding their footing under head coach Kye Johnson. After losing their first two games, Tillamook had to make a comeback two weeks ago against La Grande to save their season.
The star in this one was Tillamook quarterback Kevin Hurliman. The senior signal caller threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers. First, he hit running back Aden Garcia down the sidelines for a 66 yarder. He then connected with receiver Eli Wootton on 4th and 10 to make things 13-0. Finally, Hurlimann and wide receiver Carson Remington connected on a 30-yard touchdown right at the end of the first half. This came after Seaside had cut the lead to 16-8.
The Seagulls put up a valiant comeback attempt, but fell one touchdown short in the end. Next up for Seaside is a home game against 4A No. 7 Scappoose. At 2-3 overall and 1-1 in league, the Seagulls are looking for a signature win to increase their playoff chances. Game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Oct. 2.
Happy homecoming for Knappa
Knappa made quick work of Neah-Kah-Nie to mark a happy homecoming weekend.
The Loggers have recovered after an 0-2 start and now sit 2-2. They are tied with Clatskanie atop the 2A-SD1 Special District league with a 2-0 record. Just like last season the Tigers and Loggers seem to be on a late season collision course.
Next up for the Loggers is a road game against Gaston. Though the Greyhounds have started the season 0-4, it won’t be an easy game. The football rivalry between Gaston and Knappa has been a good one the last couple of seasons, so the Loggers will need to keep focused to avoid a potential letdown game.
The game against Gaston is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Oct. 2.