Molalla claimed the championship, and LaSalle sewed up second. The conference went 0-1 in non-conference games, and is 12-15 so far.

I went 4-0, 41-4 so far.

Last week  

3A Regis Rams @ Estacada. Rams started scoring early, and kept it up all night. Rangers didn’t keep anything up. 

Molalla @ Gladstone. After a scoreless first quarter, the Indians’ Nikita Ovchinnikov scored first and last, and in between the Gladiators could never regain control. The Indians claimed their first Capital Conference football championship, and their first ever outright league championship in school history. The Indians also earned a rematch with Central, the first visitors to the new but still unfinished Indian home facility. It was a big night and a big win for the Indians the first time.

LaSalle @ North Marion. Chris Nagel was his familiar workhorse self as the Falcons, already in the playoffs, built a 40 pt. lead, and coasted to the second place finish, a first round bye, and a return trip to Astoria for a rematch of their week 2 game, won by 8 pts. by the Fish. 

Cascade @ Stayton. Tommy Coleman set a school record with 6 TD passes as the Cougars overcame being stopped in the red zone twice in the first quarter, and an early Eagle field goal, to stay alive in the playoff race, with 47 unanswered points to pluck the Eagles. 

This Week  

3A Santiam Christian Eagles (8-1, 5-1) @ LaSalle Falcons (6-3, 5-1). Raptor game of the week. The Falcons opened and closed their regular season with games against smaller parochial schools, but both are ranked teams. Blanchet was a worthy opponent in the opener; the Eagles are a more worthy opponent than a fair number of 4A teams. Both teams are headed for the playoffs, and a tune up against a quality opponent without pressure will only help both teams.

The Eagles know a win against a 4A playoff team would really turn heads among most of the 3A playoff teams. The Falcons, however, are the very thing the Eagles don’t see often in 3A; a rock solid type team that plays defense and patiently pounds the ball. And doesn’t have to rely on big plays to win games. Early in the year, the Eagles would have been the pick, but LaSalle has improved a great deal. The Eagles are the sixth playoff team the Falcons have faced. The Eagles haven’t faced competition since Regis beat them in September. That experience, as well as the Falcon’s style of play, will make a difference. Falcons fly to Astoria with their plumage intact.

Molalla Indians (8-1, 5-0) @ North Marion Huskies (5-4, 1-4). The Indians have this game as a tune up, and then a week off, to get ready for the return of the Panthers. The Huskies have watched a promising start to the season reverse itself in the last month. The Indians are making their seventh raiding trip, and have gotten quite used to hostile surroundings. That could prove very valuable in the playoffs, and will easily overcome any resistance the Huskies put up.

The Indians won’t take any big chances with nothing to gain, but with their solid line play, anchored by Pete Borowczak, and relatively low-risk rushing attack, they won’t need to. It’s a neighborhood get together, always dangerous, but the dogs aren’t doing much barking, never mind biting, lately. Mo builds momentum for the playoffs.

The battle for third playoff ticket can still go to any of three teams. Gladstone gets it with a win over Stayton. But if the Eagles win, the Cougars go with a win over the Rangers. But a loss hands third to Stayton.

Cascade Cougars (5-4, 2-3) @ Estacada Rangers (0-9, 0-5). The Cougars have their best season since 1999 in the bag, and can have a winning season with a win over the winless Rangers. Additionally, Cougar QB Tommy Coleman needs 96 yards, less than half his per game average, for a 2,000 yard passing season. Estacada hasn’t slowed anyone down in weeks, and the Cougars are playing their best ball of the season. Unless the weather is terrible, the Cougars win big. If it is, the Ranger offense still won’t be productive enough. Cougars win, and pray for the Eagles to take flight.

Gladstone Gladiators (3-6, 3-2) @ Stayton Eagles (3-6, 2-3). Capital Conference game of the week, despite the dismal records of the participants, because it is pivotal to the playoffs. The Gladiators have a chance to salvage their season. The Eagles have had their feathers flamed to the tune of 104-10 the last 2 weeks.

Gladstone has a potent offense, while the Eagles have a porous defense. And while the Gladiator defense isn’t anything exceptional, the Eagle offense is the least productive in the conference. Gladiators win, and their reward for a losing season is a home playoff game against Brookings.

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