Quarterfinal Rematch Warms Up A Cold Friday Evening!

The Panthers move to 10-2, and will face the Marist Spartans (10-2), who pulled away as the game went on against Yamhill Carlton, winning 55-6, in the semifinals. Siuslaw finishes 9-2.

Sisters came from behind to whip North Bend 50-46 late as well.

Central coach Shane Hedrick happily acknowledged it was "Nice to get beyond the quarterfinals, but it was really nice to play a high caliber team like Siuslaw and win. There's lots of excitement in beating Siuslaw. They are 22-2!"

The fumbles were the key to the game, as the Vikings put the ball on the ground 8 times, and lost 3 of them. Siuslaw coach Tim Dodson acknowledged the problem, but credited Central. "Luck follows effort, and Central's effort made those things happen." Dodson didn't feel the cold (by coastal standards) night was the cause. "We have had a problem with that. Normally, it is an advantage for us. We were -1 on turnover margin coming in. Our inability to get the ball back compounded the problem. We didn't get the interceptions when we had the chance."

Panther Quarterback Grant Hedrick credited the win to preparation. "We watched film every day after practice. We saw some weakness in their defense, and capitalized on them." But G. Hedrick was already moving on, only minutes after the biggest win of his young career. "Its great to think we have 2 more years, and it will be great to see the potential this team has come together. Marist will be another huge challenge. We will have to watch film of them, and break them down. I'm already thinking about them."

Coach Hedrick was planning to enjoy the win a little longer, before "Figuring out from film how to try to handle the Spartans." The Panthers will need to tighten up their defense to take down Marist, and not allow the quick drives Siuslaw was successful with. "I don't like those 20 seconds drives!", Coach Hedrick admitted.

Coach Hedrick was pleased with the accomplishments, considering the Panthers have 8 of 11 offensive starters that are not seniors. "Its incredible to see a young team progress this far." That youth was a factor in a game that saw a lot of penalties, and drops as well. But in a big game, Coach Hedrick observed "Mistakes happen. They (Siuslaw) battled back, and it shows the quality of team they are."

G. Hedrick also gave the Vikings credit. "They are the fastest defense we have faced. We eventually picked them apart a little, but it took time."

It is the sixth trip to the quarterfinals in 7 years for the Panthers, but they have gotten past this point in only one of those excursions. The Vikings had to win twice in overtime this season, as well as claiming the championship over Sisters in overtime last year, so their fans are used to pressure games too.

The game is a rematch from last year’s quarterfinals, when the Vikings last visited the Panthers, and recorded a 27-0 win on their way to the state championship.

In their first playoff games, the Panthers cruised to a 35-0 win over Baker, and the Vikings ground Gladstone down, 35-14.

Cool (about 40 F), clear, and calm conditions, and a field that's mostly packed mud between the hashes, but good on the edges awaits.

OregonPrepSports will have complete coverage of the contest from McArtuur Field at Western Oregon University in Monmouth. The winner takes on the victor from the Yamhill-Carlton Tiger – Marist Spartan game next week in the semifinals.

1st. qtr.

Central gets the first try, from the Viking 39, after a 30 yard return. Casey Connor carries 4 times to the 10, and twice more, but the Panthers turn it over at the 6. But the Vikings fumble on a wild pitch, and the Panthers are on it at the 12. A penaty and 2 of 3 passes incomplete hand it back to Siuslaw on the 8 on downs again.

Grant Hedrick (9) fakes to Casey Connor (10), but the pass was incomplete.

Sisters leads NB 7-6.

The Vikings get one first down, but fumble another exchange, and Brandon Whiteman recovers and carries it in. With 6:16 in the qtr., Roman Daberkow's kick make it 7-0 Central, and the cold is causing the coasties to loose the handle.

Joe Swesey's 18 yard return puts the Viks in business at their 39. A 15 yard completion to Drew Rainwater, and another for 10, key the drive, and as Siuslaw reaches the 23, they call time with 3:30 in the qtr.

Sisters 14-6 now.

A penalty for no given reason, and an overthrown pass produces 4th. and 8, but a hitch route to Anthony Robinson on the left side converts it. Cody Satnowski completes the last 7 yards, and Zach Laxague's kick ties it at 7 with 2:01 left.

Sisters 14-13 NB.

Connor's carry is good for 20, but Central's passing game is looking longer than Siuslaw's, and isn't clicking. The Quarter ends at the 46, 4 th. & 21.

2nd. qtr.

Siuslaw blocks the kick, and Tyler Mais recovers, but another Viking fumble is covered at the 20 by JT Tirado.

Central switches to slant routes and sweeps, and marches to the Vik 20 in 9 plays.

Central QB Grant Hedrick cuts behind a block by Sergio Trujillo (50).

Time out Panthers with 8:16 left, 4th. & 12. Grant Hedrick scrambles for 8 of them; ball over to Siuslaw at their 12 @ 8:04.

0-0 Marist & YC.

Viks go 3 & punt, after a near safety & interception.

Panthers at the Vik 41. Deep middle completion to Eric Phillips at the 3. The Panthers break the plane twice with no score called, but the third time Hedrick is in easily. The conversion attempt is for 2 after a penalty on the Viks, but the pass is no good. Still Central 13-7 4:24 before the half.

Grant Hedrick scores for Central in a rugby scrum.

Sisters 21-19.

An illegal forward toss on the kickoff return sets the Viks back to the 14. The 4th. Vik fumble is given back to them, though Ricardo Cedillo had it for the Panthers. A completion to Rainwater, and another to Robinson calm things down.

25-21 NB!

But the Viks stall after 2 more recovered fumbles, and after a Central time out 1:20 before the half, a 28 yd. punt puts Central at their 36.

Two completions to Jeff Gratreak ses Central up at the 7, and with 6.6 seconds to go, Hedrick hits Brandon Whiteman in the left corner of the endzone for the touchdown. And a completion for a 2 point conversion to Connor underneath makes it Panthers 21-7.

The Vikings' 6th. fumble, 3 of which were lost, brings us to halftime.

Sisters 28-25; Marist 20-6 over YC; West Albany 13-0; Mt. View 21-6; Bend 14-0; Westview 14-7; LO & Sheldon 7-7; CC 10-3.

3rd. qtr.

The Vikings get the ball first, and better figure out how to hold on to it, as the temps. drop into the 30's.

LO has pulled ahead, 14-7; and the shootout in Sisters is at the half.

Cody Satnowski takes a pitch round the left side for 63 yards, pulling the Viks within 21-14 1:45 into the second half.

Jacob Mitchell (6) looks inside before making the pitch for the TD.

The Panthers come firing back, until a holding penalty and a sack by Aaron Hunter forces a punt.

Thomas Demelo (70) opens a hole for Central’s Casey Connor (10).

Illegal blocks negate a 48 yard Rainwater return. Viks at their 7.

Sisters 35-32.

Viks go 3 & punt; Tirado returns it 51 yards to the 3, and Connor punches it in. Panthers 28-14 with 2:28 left in the third.

Rainwater grabs an 18 yard slant route, and the Viks are on the 21 as the qtr. ends. Slant routes are the solution.

NB 39-35.

4th. qtr.

Mitchell's keeper out of the Power I/Shotgun gets a first at the 18.

An 18 yard corner route to Robinson is good for the touchdown, but the kick hits the right upright, and Central still leads, 28-20, with 11:10 left.

A 26 yard slant pass on the left side to Phillips, plus a Viking offside (one of several tonight), pushes the Panthers to the 9. A holding penalty pushes them back to the 24. Hedrick rolls right and hits Hamilton for the TD, but was over the line of scrimmage. And a sack brings up 4th. & 30 from the 35. Time out Panthers with 6:51 left.

Hedrick is in punt formation, but throws for Hamilton. Rainwater tips it but Hamilton catches it at the 8, but that's not enough. Vik ball with 6:45 to go.

NB 46-35 with 9:27 left.

34 yard pass to Robinson, but it comes back due to a chop block. Connor almost picks off a pass for Rainwater, and Hamilton does pick one off, but that's wiped out by a defensive holding penalty.

Consecutive completions to Robinson and Bechtold have the Viks at mid field. A deep pass for Robinson is defended by Tirado, Rainwater's pass for Robinson is over thrown by inches, and its 4th. down. Another bomb for Robinson is overthrown, and Central takes over at midfield with 3:51 left.

NB 46-43 with 6 min. left.

Siuslaw uses two time outs, the Hedrick hits Phillips on a post route for 47 yards and the touchdown. The kick hits the left upright, but the Panthers are up 34-20 with 3:29 left. Hedrick has about 308 yards passing.

Mitchell completes 3 passes for 63 yards and a score in 20 sec. Rainwater takes the conversion pass, and pulls the Viks within 34-28 with 3:02 left.

(Connectivity was questionable; fortunately, it held together, except for, of course, briefly at the end! Thank you Oregon Dept. of Higher Ed.! Not!)

Siuslaw 7 0 7 14 - 28

Central 7 14 7 6 - 34

1st. qtr.
Central - Brandon Whiteman 4 yard fumble recovery (Roman Daberkow kick) 6:16
Siuslaw - Cody Satnowski 7 yard run (Zach Laxague kick) 2:01

2nd. qtr.
C – Grant Hedrick 1 yard run (pass failed) 4:24
C - Brandon Whiteman 7 yard pass from Hedrick (Casey Connor pass from Hedrick) :06.6

3rd. qtr.
S - Satnowski 63 yard run (Laxague kick) 10:15
C – Connor 3 yard run (Daberkow kick) 2:28

4th. qtr.
S – Anthony Robinson 18 yard pass from Jacob Mitchell (kick failed) 11:10
C – Eric Phillips 47 yard pass from Hedrick (kick failed) 3:29
S – Robinson 35 yard pass from Mitchell (Drew Rainwater pass from Mitchell) 3:02

 

(Check back later for the addition of stats. On to Cottage Grove for the 3A semifinals first!)

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