Salem West Linn High and Sheldon of Eugene’s OSAA Class 6A football semifinal on Friday unfolded like the Tortoise and the Hare from Aesop’s fable.
With a twist, though.
West Linn was staring as the tortoise. Slow and steady won the race for the second-seeded Lions, who upset No. 3 seed Sheldon 28-21 in the open championship playoffs at Willamette University’s McCulloch Stadium, much like the victorious reptile in the well-known children’s tale.
The Lions (10-1) amassed more over 400 yards of total offense, led by quarterback Baird Gilroy, who led West Linn’s multifaceted aerial attack, and junior running back Viggo Anderson, who repeatedly hammered Sheldon’s defense for significant gains.
According to West Linn coach Jon Eagle, it begins with our offensive line. We performed well in run blocking and had excellent pass protection. People were genuinely missed by our running back.
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Gilroy gained 334 yards and three touchdowns on 34 of 45 passes.
According to Eagle, Baird was at his best when we needed him to be and made excellent passes. He was a clutch quarterback for us tonight, and he truly delivered.
Appropriately named wide receiver Danny Wideman produced nearly half of those yards. The quick senior grabbed 13 passes for 152 yards and two scores, including the game-winning 35-yard touchdown with 1 minute, 28 seconds left in the third quarter.
Eagle claimed that Danny was acting in a Danny manner.
Gilroy concurred.
According to the senior, Danny is our greatest offensive threat. I believe that many individuals are aware of that. He’s always been able to do that, and I’ve known him my entire life.
Gilroy passed the ball to a number of players, including Wideman. These included Anderson, the OSAA’s Player of the Game for West Linn, who had nine catches for 69 yards and ran 20 times for 125 yards, and senior tight end Baron Naone, who hauled in seven passes for 55 yards and a first-quarter touchdown.
Similar to Eagle, Wideman was quick to acknowledge the offensive line of the Lions.
Our offensive line performed its duties. “They were ballin,” stated Wideman. We had a strong rushing game, and our quarterback had plenty of time to pass the ball because he trusted our receivers to get open.
West Linn’s only rushing touchdown was scored by Hudson Hardy. The senior rushing back helped tie the game at 14–14 in the second quarter by diving into the end zone from two yards out on just his sixth carry of the season.
Sheldon was acting as the hare on Friday. The Irish (10-1) entered the match undefeated and left with their season’s lone defeat.
According to Irish coach Tyler Martell, the effort our seniors have put in to get here is what makes it difficult. Twenty-seven of our lads have played their final game. They gave their all to our program, and for that I am grateful.
Sheldon needed fewer plays to score points than West Linn, who dominated the clock and ran more plays in the first half. Jyce Jones, another senior, found a hole and ran up the left sideline to help the Irish tie the score at 21 seconds after Wideman made his first TD catch to give the Lions their first lead. The Irish instead used big ones, such as a 54-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kelsen Sperry to tight end Brody Thomas and a 98-yard kickoff return by Jones.
According to Martell, we have always relied on our special teams capabilities. Compared to other teams in the state, we most likely devote more attention to special teams. Jones hit the hole and went full speed after we just put hats on hats.
Sperry ran for another score, a 9-yarder that ended Sheldon’s first drive, and he also threw for another. That was also made possible by a huge play: two plays prior, Sperry had put the Irish in the red zone with a 30-yard pass to fellow senior Mana Tuioti, who was named OSAA’s Player of the Game.
Sperry passed for 171 yards and went 10-for-21. This is where the previously mentioned twist enters the picture: The Irish were held to 51 second-half yards by West Linn’s defense, while the hare’s own arrogance proved fatal in The Tortoise and the Hare.
“In the second half, our defense was lockdown,” Gilroy said. I’m incredibly proud of them. When we most needed them, they came through.
Shane Peters, a sophomore safety, recorded a late pass breakup and an interception for West Linn, which virtually secured the Lions’ victory. Ryder White, a senior linebacker, recorded many tackles for loss, including one sack.
Next week’s state championship game will pit West Linn against league rival Lake Oswego, the only club to defeat the Lions in the regular season.
Gilroy stated, “This is what we wanted, another shot at them.” They are a top-tier squad. Since we were defeated by them, we have been searching for this.
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