First Time Favorite Faces Playoff Participant Familiar To Many

Tualatin reaches their first final, with a second half that reflected the nerves of steel that their veteran Coach Craig Hastin has. Trailing, and having seen West Salem bookend halftime with strong scoring drives, the Timberwolves rallied behind a fumble, a deflected kick, and 99 second half yards from Dennis Ranck.

Four prior semifinal appearances ended in defeat, but the fifth time was the charm.

Coach Hastin explained that after halftime, "We knew we had to run the ball. Its hard to stop the West Salem RB/WR combination, so we had to keep the ball away from them." Even when the Titans did have the ball, the Timberwolves did a pretty good job, holding Jordan Jenkins to 55 yards on 18 yards, and Jordan Bishop to 53 yards on 6 catches.

Ranck gave the credit for the win, and the incredible turnaround to the Timberwolves' season, to the defense. "We found defense! When the defense came around, our offense started playing good ball. Our offense feeds off the defense. That defensive score was the first of the year, and it was just what we needed!"

Coach Hastin's take on the turnaround was the team's chemistry. "You can never explain chemistry. We lost kids, and had to move Dennis from fullback to tailback. But with lots of games, we had time to make changes, time to have a chance to try different things."

Everyone was asking how the Timberwolves could get to the finals, but Coach Hastin's experience gave him a different perspective. "You never expect to get this far. Our goal is to improve each game. The kids made plays. The blocked PAT was huge."

Ranck was the horse of the game, and this despite the Titans knew he was coming, as QB Levi Levassa was only 9 of 18, for 76 yards. But even though it looked hard, Ranck felt it wasn't so much, due to the line blocking, and especially that of full back John Grill. "Johnny played great. And the line gave me holes to get 5 yards down field. It's all money after that; I just drive for all I can get. And Jordan (Highland) deflecting that kick was huge. I told him 'Go get one!' before the play, and he did!"

The Timberwolves' perseverence rewarded their fans and band, which never wavered in their support, even when the Titans looked to take control in the middle of the game. And by letting an old war horse like Coach Hastin hang around, the new kids on the block from West Salem learned another lesson about playoff football. Never leave an opponent with a chance, expecially one that has seen about as many playoff games as the Titans have seen games. It shocked the Titans to the point they didn't even use their final timeout, which would have forced the Timberwolves to pick up the first down, or turn the ball back over, giving them probably one final play.

#4 West Salem Titans (10-1) vs. Tualatin Timberwolves (8-3).

The Titans were somewhat expected to show up in the final four for the first time, as their program continues to rise to prominence. However, the Timberwolves, based on their record, were one of the least likely teams in any of the classes to get this far. But only if only the win-loss record is used to judge.

West Salem is in the playoffs for the third time, not bad for a school in only its’ sixth year. The Titans punched their ticket to the semis with a 28-21 win over Lincoln.

Tualitin took out Westview 28-12 to make it to the semi-finals for the third time. The Timberwolves are playing postseason ball for the fourth year in a row, and the 11^th. time in 15 years. Coach Craig Hastin has one of the few teams at any level that wasn’t ranked at the end of the season that made a major run, but the T’Wolves are hot at the right time.

And we get a bonus Christmas concert from the T'Wolf band! The first game wasn't as loud of an affair as the semi-finals might suggest, but Tualatin will make sure that doesn't happen in the night cap. PGE is rocking now!

1st. qtr.

The Timberwolves will get the ball first, in the shadow of the Mac Club, on the south end. West is using the proven defense of the night, rush 3 + a blitzer, and make the offense produce. They don't, and get a 5 yard punt that was shanked, and kicked back.

John Gallagher gets a block that knock a Timberwolf out onto 18th. avenue, and springs Jordan Bishop on a reverse for a 7-0 lead 2 minutes into the game!

The Timberwolves are going to try to settle down, and get their power game going. And keep the Titan offense off the field. Danny Johnson makes a great snag on Levi Levasa's left sideline out to move the sticks, but Gallagher gets some more hits in, holding the T'Wolves down with the wide stuff. And the Titans take over, holding on downs after a 6:15 drive doesn't do any good.

The Titans' Aaron Hire hits Gallagher at the TWolve 49, and its a 52 yard completion down the right side right away. And Jordan Jenkins hasn't even gotten into the game plan yet! A wheel route to the left corner of the endzone looked like it should have been a TD, but Jordan doesn't hold on. Big missed opportunity, as Robert Kennedy picks off Hire's 4th. down pass at the 15, and sprints to the Titan 42.

More Hastin ball, as Coach Craig Hastin has the T'Wolves hammering Dennis Ranck and John Grill right at the Titans, reaching the Titan 7 as the first quarter ends. Time of possession 9:40 to 2:20 in favor of Tualatin.

Titans missed an opportunity to really knock Tualatin out of their game plan.

2nd. qtr.

Ranck wraps up the drive with 33 seconds into the second quarter with a 2 yard slant on the right side to tie it up at 7-7. Now we will see if Tualatin can contain West, or if this is a temporary condition. Bishop's kickoff return to the Titan 45 starts the drive in excellent position, not what the TWolves want.

But they hold, and the punt goes for a touchback. Here comes the TWolf rushing game again. Ranck breaks 4 tackles for a gain over 30 yards. Consecutive penalties on the Wolves forces a pass, and Stephen Ellis intercepts for the Titans at the 20. NO chance to force that ball into the zone coverage. 37 yards later, the Titans are back in business in Tualatin territory, with another big play.

The TWolves get a big play though, as Hire misses Bishop on a post route badly, and Matt Losli makes a stretching interception. Another Titan missed opportunity. 3 & punt, as the T'Wolves try unsuccessfully to pass. Bishop goes backward into his own territory; he should have called a fair catch.

A high and wide toss to the left sideline gives Bishop the chance to jump up and get the first down, and there was nothing the TWolves could do. Chase Sexton gashes the middle, and Jenkins gets to the 13 before 7 Tualatin defenders can turn him around. The Titans take a page out of the TWolve playbook, and play power ball, picking up a 4th. down, and capping the drive with a 2 yard Jenkins jump over the pile with 32 seconds left in the half. Titans 14-7, and the TWolves don't try to do anything about it, on the way to the warm dressing room.

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The Titans don't have much of a margin, but there is no sense that the TWolves can generate much offense, while the Titans haven't even found much for Jenkins yet. Still, leting Coach Hastin's team hang around could be dangerous. The pace of the game is producing a short game, and unless Tualatin can pull even soon, they could run out of time, even is a low scoring game like this.

Ranck has 92 yards, but much of it was on the 38 yarder. Gallagher is the player of the game so far, on both sides of the ball. West's late quarter drive has brought them back within 3 minutes of Tualatin in time of possession. The first possession COULD be key, if the Titans can take advantage of having the ball.

# # # # # #

3rd. qtr.

Bishop bounces left out to the 32. Bret Gilberet reminds Tualatin that Bishop isn't the only Titan WR, with a leaping latch onto on a right sideline route.

Phil Rauly fights off a block, and makes an open field tackle on Bishop. On 4th. & too long, from too far for a field goal, Hire fires to the right side to Matt Alto, who goes up and gets it, coming down at the 3. 2 plays later, Jenkins pounds the left side, capping the 12 play opening drive. The kick is deflected, but the Titans have taken a 20-7 lead almost half way thru the third quarter. The last thing Tualatin needed.

A scoring drive seconds before the half, and a 68 yard clock control opening drive have already got Tualatin in real trouble. Ranck keeps ramming ahead, but when, and whenever, Tualatin tosses it up, no chance for anything long. So they go back to Ranck, and short stuff. Showing blitz is considered encroachment, even from behind the d-linemen, but Gallagher gets another tackle behind the line. Have I mentioned he is having a whale of a game?

A completion in traffic at the 2 to Rauly saves the drive for Tualatin, and Ranck goes off right tackle for the touchdown, and the 80 yard drive pulls the TWolves within 20-14 with 2:15 left in the quarter.

Tualatin absolutely had to have an answer, and they gave one. And they make the Titans start at their 13. The Titans turn to Jenkins and Bishop, but they can't deliver. TWolves take over at the Titan 42 after the punt, and we go to the fourth quarter in a 6 point game. That deflected PAT could be key.

4th. qtr.

Ranck is up to 158 yards on 21 carries, as Tualatin hammers it down to the Titan 20. But it's 4th. & 6 at the 16. And on the roll out right, Levasa throws too late, as Andrew Patton was open alone in the back of the endzone. Instead, the ball is incomplete, and the Titans take over.

But a bad handoff bounces back into the endzone, and Grey Carkner covers it in the endzone. The kick is good for a 21-20 Timberwolve lead with 8:54 left. Biggest play of the game BY FAR!

For the first time all night, the pressure is on West.

A deep fade on the right side for Bishop is volleyballed off his hands. A wild rollout is almost intercepted by John Grill. The Titans have lost both momentum and focus. A 62 yard screen pass touchdown pass to Jenkins down the right side is called back due to a procedure penalty.

Bishop bails the Titans out with a leaping sideline grab at the TWolve 48. Bret Weisbrodt gets another first down with a couple of cool moves off a short hitch route completion.

BIG third down and 12 coming as the clock winds under 7 minutes. Incomplete, and the Titans are gambling the game at the TWolve 40 with 6:39 to go. Time out Titans first!

Matt Losli breaks up a deep ball for Weisbrodt, and the TWolves take over! Heavy dose of the heavyweight (220 lb.) Ranck coming. DRAW on 3rd. & 7 to Ranck WORKS. 24 for 179 so far!

A real bad spot forces a 4^th. down, but Ranck cleans up the mess with a blast up the middle. Under 3 minutes left.

3^rd. & 4, 2:10 to go, time out Titans.

And surprise! Rauly gets the ball, and the first down.

And then the one thing the TWolves couldn't have happens. FUMBLE on the exchange! Salem Tanner recovers, and with almost 2 minutes to go, the Titans need a field goal.

LB Robert Kennedy gets isolated on Bishop, but undercuts the route, and almost intercepts it. 4^th. down, and Hire looks for Gilberet on the right side line, and the pass is out of bounds! He didn’t see Alto open behind everyone on the right seam. Tualatin runs the clock out, and wins 21-20. West Salem left a timeout on the board, instead of forcing fourth down.

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