Spartans stomp Bulldogs in first league game of 2012 campaign

After last week's gut-wrenching loss to Springfield, the Corvallis Spartans looked to quickly rebound against the Woodburn Bulldogs as CHS opened league play last night.

Things could not have gone better for a Spartans defense, who from the get-go caused problems for Woodburn's senior quarterback Sergi Yakis. Five plays into the game a torrential Corvallis pass-rush caused Yakis to force a pass across the middle, one that sailed a few feet above the hands of senior wideout Devon Kozina. What looked like a trapped pass by CHS cornerback Cole Garrett was called an interception by the line judge, and from there the Spartans offense did not look back.

Senior quarterback Matherin Langley, who dissected the Bulldogs defense both on the ground and through the air last night, got to work quickly, finding senior wideout Jordan Skipper for an 8-yard touchdown pass to put CHS up 7-0.

Six plays later, and after another Yakis interception, Langley found the endzone again, this time on a bootleg to the right. The senior found no open options, so keeping the ball he punched it in from eight yards out to give the Spartans a 14-point lead.

After another failed drive by Woodburn and a subsequent punt, the Spartans set up shop at about midfield, when, on the first play of the drive, Langley ran the option to the left side, kept the ball, made one cut upfield and was gone en route to a 46-yard touchdown which put the Spartans in the driver's seat with a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

With a solid running attack early on in the second quarter, Woodburn got on the board after a solid cut upfield which resulted in a 14-yard touchdown run for senior running back Nate Ellingson. The extra point attempt was no good, yet cut into the Spartans lead 21-6.

Corvallis shot right back, putting together a two-play, 56-yard touchdown drive capped off by a 20-yard end-around from Jordan Skipper, his second touchdown of the game. Another Woodburn punt and an untouched, 54-yard run by junior running back Bradley Crampton put the Spartans ahead 36-6 heading into halftime.

The Spartans never let-off the gas in the second half, dropping another 21 points on the Bulldogs en route to a 56-19 victory. With a 2-1 record and their first league game under their belt, Corvallis travels to Silverton next week for another league matchup against the Foxes.

Player of the game: Senior quarterback Matherin Langley had quite the confidence booster last night, amassing four total touchdowns; two through the air and two on the ground. The option keeper worked to perfection as he ripped apart the Bulldogs defensive second level all game long.

Two-way player of the game: Spartans' senior wideout Jordan Skipper had a touchdown run, a touchdown reception, and intercepted a Yakis' pass in the fourth quarter to neutralize a Bulldogs drive that went deep into Corvallis territory.

Hit of the game: In the first quarter, Woodburn quarterback Sergi Yakis rolled out to the right side, could not find any open targets and took off with his feet. Sophomore safety J.D. Lasswell made a read on the play breaking down and met Yakis with a huge hit that crumpled the 6' Bulldog quarterback. Nobody was hurt on the play, fortunately, but a pop was heard throughout the stadium when the collision happened.