Dragons thrash Spartans to rain on Corvallis' homecoming

With the game well out of reach in the fourth quarter, the story line to the night for the Corvallis Spartans was told in one play. CHS had held the Dallas Dragons to a three and out, forcing a punt and allowing the Spartans to cut into the hefty deficit  On fourth and long, Dallas punter Chase Mauk delivered a boot down field  but a running into the punter penalty allowed the Dragons' drive to stay alive and milk the clock en route to a 48-21 victory, their third of the season. For the Spartans, their fifth loss of the season came on Homecoming, and on the heels of a 56-28 dismantling at the hands of Lebanon last week.

Dallas got to work early, scoring 28 points in the first quarter, led by junior fullback Caleb Naughton and his three rushing touchdowns. The Dragons, who worked out of a Jumbo-esque formation most of the game, ran roughshod throughout the Spartans defense and for the most part, CHS had no answers.

After being held scoreless in the second half thus far, the Spartans had set up shop deep in Dragons territory and were knocking on the door with a 1st-and-four. Corvallis quarterback Matherin Langley dropped back and saw wide receiver Jordan Skipper cutting towards the sideline. The senior quarterback delivered a pass that Skipper would have caught, but Dragons safety Ryan Spencer had a direct read on the ball and intercepted the pass, returning it into Spartans territory and continuing the second half shutout of CHS.

Corvallis was eventually able to add 14 points to their score late in the game on two Langley touchdown passes, but all in all the deficit was too large and the Spartans suffered their fourth conference loss of the season. Next week they face off against a rival West Albany team for their final game of the season.

Offensive player of the game: Tie between Dallas' thunder/lightning combination of Caleb Naughton and Jaylon Smothers, who combined for six touchdowns on the ground. The Dragons' running attack was perfect Friday night; just absolutely had their way with the Spartans defensive line and second level.

Defensive player of the game: Tie between Naughton (linebacker) and Kaj Christensen (DT), who terrorized the Spartans offensive line all night long. The duo had so many tackles for losses that this writer lost track (not to mention tackles.. holy Motown). The Dragons defense as a whole were stout all game long, but were clearly anchored by the aforementioned juniors. Yes, they're not done yet, folks.

Two-way player of the game: Caleb Naughton. C'mon, kid had three touchdowns, a handful of tackles for losses and some great pops; award goes to him easily.

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.

Springfield shows spirit in win

By FRANK HOAGLIN
   The Corvallis Spartans had the game half in the bag heading into the second half of their matchup against the Springfield Millers. All the hosting team had to do was play mistake-free football for one half and they would go into next week's first conference game against Woodburn with two confidence-boosting victories.

   Despite a brilliant first-half of football from Spartans quarterback Matherin Langley, the Corvallis offensive line could not keep it together in the second half, causing several rushes of the senior quarterback.

   The first play of the second half told the story of the night for the Spartans. Langley dropped back to pass, delivered a loft pass across the middle. Having two wide receivers in the area, it should have ended up with a solid completion and a big gain for the Corvallis offense. Springfield's senior cornerback Tielyr Ritnour was there with a beat on the ball, however, and intercepted the pass.

   Fortunately for Langley, two plays later on an end-around by Millers' Omari Thomas, the sophomore wideout was popped by a pair of Spartans defenders, resulting in a fumble and another opportunity for the Spartans offense. But, with a 28-yard field goal attempt by senior kicker Luther Ellenson sailing left, the difference between a win and a loss was literally defined by inches Friday night.

   Two touchdown rushes later and Springfield High found themselves in the drivers seat late in the fourth quarter. One last opportunity to tie the game found Langley scampering into the endzone with less than a minute on the clock, but his rollout pass for the two point conversion was batted away.

   The Spartans would not go easily into the night, however. Senior wideout Andrew Laney picked up the onside attempt on the kickoff, seemingly giving Corvallis one last shot at victory. Four plays later and a big-time stop on fourth down by the Millers defense sent the Spartans into the night with their first loss of the season.

   Next week Corvallis remains at home to host its first conference game against Woodburn.

Sherwood puts hurt on Marist

By JUSTIN BURR
   In a duel between two of the strongest programs at the Class 5A level, Sherwood traveled to Eugene at took down host Marist 38-20 Friday night.

   With a dominating running game that featured seven different ball carriers, the Bowmen also dominated the aggressive strategy available to coaches, attempting more onsides kicks than passes. Sherwood coach Greg Lawrence rarely attempted a punt, and when his team lined up for one, it turned into a fake and a then a first down.

   The Bowmen return home for a non-league game with Hermiston (1-1), before Northwest Oregon Confernce action begins with a road game at St. Helens, Sept. 21. Sherwood plays at conference rival Wilsonville, Oct. 12.

   Marist begins Midwestern League play with a home game Friday against Ashland (1-1), which is coming off an impressive win over Lebanon.

   Marist scored on its opening drive Friday, with quarterback Kamerun Smith leading the passing attack. But, the Sherwood defense rallied and pressured Smith constantly for the remainder of the game and Marist's receivers had a number of key drops that gave Sherwood all the opportunities it needed.

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