Panther Coach Lee Lowe was “Excited to be this far. It’s the first time Imbler has ever made it to the semifinals.” Lowe and the Panthers got there by jumping out to an early lead, making key defensive stops, managing the clock well, and running the ball and the clock to close out the games. A recipe for football success at any level.

(Updated with photos.)

Lowe also proudly announced “The kids really performed pretty well. Things fell in place, and we executed really well. Perrydale had a lot of tough luck with injuries, but they deserve a lot of credit, and have nothing to be ashamed about.”

Pirate Coach Dan Dugan observed “Imbler overwhelmed us in the first quarter. They came out very physical.” But the rest of the game reflected the Perrydale season, where, despite injuries, the Pirates persevered to reach the quarterfinals. Similar to the season, Pirate sophomore running back Blake Barnes powered Perrydale, but eventually had to stand by and watch when he aggravated an earlier concussion.

That physical style will be needed by the Panthers again against South Wasco. Coach Lowe observed that “South Wasco is a big, physical bunch. They have a big tailback, and are balanced.” The Panthers have given more than two scores only twice all season, and that defense, combined with a ball control offense, carried the day against the Pirates.

* * * * *

Live from Polk county, it was the #3 Imbler Panthers, 10-0 coming in, visiting the #9 Perrydale Pirates, who entered the quarterfinals with a 7-3 record. The winner will take on the #5 South Wasco County Redsides (11-1), who defeated the St. Paul Bucs 30-6 last night, in the semi-finals.

The Panthers pummeled the Pirates 56–14 in week 4 in Dufur (Imbler was the only member of the 8-man great 8 that couldn’t get to Dufur for the 8-man classic, so they went there 3 weeks later to play Perrydale), but Perrydale is healthier now than then, and could have a weather advantage as well.

And stay with Oregonprepsports.net all afternoon, as when the 8 man action is done, we will hustle over to Willamette University, and have the story on the 3A game of the wee, between the #1 Gold Beach Panthers, and the #2 Regis Rams.

Imbler will receive, and Perrydale will defend the west goal, as the rain abates a bit, making for a merely misty midday.

1st. qtr.

The Pirate onside kick attempt goes backwards, and Imbler starts at the Pirate 39!

Imbler's Nick West(20) breaks around the left side as Perrydale's Blake Barnes(22) pursues. (Kirk Mays photo.)

4 rushes later , Bryan Mills powers in from 11 yards out. Panthers 8-0 after Nick West's 2 pt. conversion.

And Imbler recovers the onside kick!

After the Pirates initially stiffen, Nick Thompson finds Taylor McIntosh alone on a crossing route in the endzone for a 25 yard score. Imbler 14-0 with 8:46 left in the qtr.

Pirates 3 & punt, pinning Imbler at their 8.

Pirate Cody Comerford tries to find some yardage as Panthers Nick Thompson(1) and Jake Noyes(33) close in. (Kirk Mays photo.)

An 81 yard deep route down the right side line from Thompson to Jake Noyes makes it 20-0 Imbler with 5:51 left. Only 2 pt. conversions are not working for Imbler.

Blake Barnes busts off a 41 yard stretch run to the left, but Imbler stops the Pirates cold, and takes over on downs.

The Pirates’ Blake Barnes (22) breaks past Sean Peterson (4).

Cody Comerford (2) looks left, but there is no room against the Panther defense.

Justin Storm (4) looks for a receiver against the Panther defense, but can’t find anyone open.

A holding penalty makes the 70 yard drive an 83 yard drive, but Imbler pulls ahead 28-0 on West's sweep to the left pylon, and Mills' sweep to the right pylon for the conversion. Imbler's speed advantage on the edges is all the difference in this one.

Pirate Michael Angell(30) brings down Panther Nick Thompson(1). (Kirk Mays photo.)

Bryan Mills(12) heads for the endzone for the Panthers.

The sun comes out, and Justin Storm drops in a completion to Tyler Brown at the Imbler 47 as the first quarter ends.

Pirate Tyler Brown(1) goes up to haul in a pass over Panther Nick Thompson(1). (Kirk Mays photo.)

2nd. qtr.

Cody Comerford(2) follows a block by Mac Cruickshank.

The Pirates follow thru on the drive, which takes over 5:20, and 15 plays, capped by a great catch in coverage by Michael Angel to make it 28-6, 8:06 before halftime.

The Panthers drive to the Pirate 32, but Angel's sack of Thompson brings up 4th. & 15. Panther punt, touchback, with 6:03 in the half.

Perrydale's drive stalls at their 46, and a punt with more backspin than a 9 iron goes for -9 yards.

Four plays later, Thompson's keeper to the right corner, and his conversion, make it 36-6 48 seconds from halftime.

Nick Thompson (1) turns the corner on Cody Comerford for a touchdown.

3rd. qtr.

Perrydale has the first possession, and with the help of a 5 yd. face mask penalty, converts a 4th. down, and with the aid of a taunting penalty, and another 4th. down conversion, and a pass interference penalty in the endzone, complete a 17 play, 65 yard scoring drive that took 7:38 before Storm stormed in for the touchdown. His conversion run failed, and its still Imbler 36-12 with 4:22 left in the third qtr.

Pirate Blake Barnes(22) is upended by Panther defenders for no gain. (Kirk Mays photo.)

Pirate Cody Comerford(2) is brought down by Panther defenders after a short gain. (Kirk Mays photo.)

Perrydale is cutting inside the containment on the edges due to the Panther edge speed.

The Pirates recover the onside kickoff, but it only went 9 yards, and the Panthers take over at their 49. And when Thompson finds Noyes uncovered at the 20, he strolls in for the score. Sean Peterson's conversion carry makes it Imbler 44-12, with 2:57 left in the third.

And Barnes appears to be out of the game, with an aggravation of earlier injuries.

The Pirates resume pounding out the yardage, but time is already a factor. Perrydale has only reached the 35 as the third quarter ends.

4th. qtr.

Mills has been a horse, and a 28 yd. punt return sets up a drive by the Panthers, which Nick West caps from 25 yards out, with another sweep off the left side. Mills makes it 52-12 Imbler, with 10:39 to go, with the conversion run.

Panther Nick West(20) breaks free of Pirate defenders on his way to a touchdown. (Kirk Mays photo.)

Mills finished with 157 yards of total offense, on 19 carries for 96 yards, 2 catches for 22 more, and 2 returns for 39.

Additionally, Thompson, after misfiring on his first 2 passes, completed 9 straight for 253 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Comerford carried 28 times for 108 yards to lead the Pirates, and Barnes added 100 yards on 14 carries before he had to leave the game.

The Imbler line of Frank Smith, Henry Kanoho, and Joe Coughlan are collapsing the Pirates, and force a punt, giving the Panthers the ball at their 31 with 8:42 left.

The Imbler Defensive front shuts down the Pirates inside rushing game.

With a 5 score lead, the Panthers are playing most of their subs, and playing the clock down. A first down at the Pirate 45 with 4:20 to go indicates how the day will end. The Panthers eat up the last 8:42 with a 17 play drive. Final Panthers 52-12.

Dugan was “Excited to be in the top 8 in a year where there were only 2 seniors still active at the end of the season.” Dugan is looking at another return to the top of the 8 man mountain next year, as the Pirates have followed quarterfinal losses in 2003 & 2005 with title game appearances the following season. “If that patter holds, with so many returning players, next year could be our year again.”

1^st qtr.

Imbler – Bryan Mills 11 yard pass from Nick Thompson (Nick West run) 11:04

I – Taylor McIntosh 25 yard pass from Thompson (run failed) 8:46

I – Jake Noyes 81 yard pass from Thompson (run failed) 5:51

I – Nick West 11 yard run (Mills run) 1:28

2^nd. qtr.

Perrydale – Michael Angel 10 yard pass from Justin Storm (run failed) 8:06

I – Thompson 5 yard run (Thompson run) :48

3^rd. qtr.

P – Storm 4 yard run (run failed) 4:22

I – Noyes 25 yard pass from Thompson (Sean Peterson run) 2:57

4^th. qtr.

I – West 25 yard run (Mills run) 10:39

Rushing

Imbler – 45-235, 3 TDs – Mills 19-96; Thompson 6-46, 1 TD; West 2-36, 2 TDs; Chris Kee 10-36; Dalton McDaniel 5-8; James Sauer 2-13; Noyes 1-4.

Perrydale – 48-219, 1 TD - Cody Comerford 28-108; Blake Barnes 14-100; Justin Storm 3-17, 1 TD; Michael Angel 2-(-5); Mac Cruickshank 1-(-1).

Passing
Imbler – Thompson 9-11, 4 TDs, 0 Int., 253 yds.; McDaniel 0-1, 0 TDs, 0 Int., 0 yds.

Perrydale – Storm 4-10, 1 TD, 0 Int., 35 yds.

Receiving

Imbler – Hoyes 3-122, 2 TDs; Mills 2-22, 1 TD; West 2-80; McIntosh 1-25, 1 TD; Peterson 1-4.

Perrydale – Tyler Brown 2-25; Angel 1-10, 1 TD; Barnes 1-0.

Returns

Imbler – Mills 2-39.

Perrydale – Brown 1-21.

Punts

Imbler 1-20.

Perrydale 4-81.

First Downs

Imbler – 17

Perrydale - 16

CC

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