It appeared as though the No. 2 Oakers might have been headed for a comeback victory over St. Paul when Oakland junior Andrew McCurdy tied Saturday’s Class 2A football state championship game with a huge 67-yard receiving score late in the third quarter.
With just over 13 minutes remaining in the game, quarterback Ryan Fullerton found McCurdy over the top for the longest play from scrimmage, tying the score at 20 apiece.
Then, with just over eight minutes remaining, senior Wyatt Smith caused a fumble to set up a game-winning drive for St. Paul, as the No. 5 Buckaroos tightened their defense.
In their first season in the 2A division since 2017, the Buckaroos won a state championship minutes later following a 2-yard touchdown run by Clay Smith.
Tony Smith, the head coach of St. Paul, stated, “We didn’t necessarily think that we would have the opportunity at the 2A level automatically.” However, it wasn’t impossible.
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Leading the Buckaroos on a 13-play, 65-yard touchdown drive that culminated in a two-yard screen throw to senior Diego Medina, quarterback Grady Wolf got things moving early on Saturday.
With 1:24 remaining in the first quarter, the senior quarterback continued his successful night by scurrying for a 31-yard touchdown run to give his team a 14-0 lead after the Bucks defense forced a fast stop.
Clay Smith has been an excellent running back this season, so Coach Smith had been encouraging me to keep an eye out for that (defensive) end during practice, Wolf said. I watched him bite, so I just took it myself when the instructor told me to read the finish.
Then, following a superb kickoff return by senior Gavyn Woody, Oakland awoke and responded with its own 13-play, 42-yard touchdown drive.
With 6:03 remaining in the second quarter, Oakland was only behind 14-8 when Woody handed the Oakers the ball inside St. Paul territory and Gabe Williamson, a fellow senior, punched in a two-yard score. Fullerton then passed the ball to senior Corbin Hoover for two more.
After exchanging scoreless drives, the Oakers gained the ball once more to begin the second half, and Williamson continued his impressive Oakland play.
The senior led the Oakers on a six-minute scoring drive to tie the game at 14 points, carrying the ball ten times for 55 yards on the first drive of the second half alone.
Oakland’s game-tying 67-yard touchdown pass from Fullerton to McCurdy was set up by St. Paul’s swift response, which culminated a 69-yard scoring drive with an eight-yard kick from Wolf to Medina to regain a 20-14 lead.
After fellow Buckaroo Sullivan Grot recovered Smith’s clutch-forced fumble, St. Paul had a go-ahead drive after Medina carried the rock three times for 21 yards before Smith hit the end zone.
It should be difficult because it’s the state championship, Wolf said. Adversity is inevitable, and you must persevere through it, our coaches all remind us.
The Buckaroo defense held firm and forced a fourth-down stop on its own 35 when Fullerton was unable to connect Kellan Sabo over the middle on the Oakers’ last opportunity. After that, the Buckaroos won their first state championship since 2010 thanks to St. Paul’s strong ground game.
Why the playoffs are different Coach Smith stated, “I’ve noticed over the years that if you have a weakness, you’re going to be found out.” You will be discovered if you are unable to cover the pass. We were good enough in all those areas to win it, and if you can’t stop the run, you’re going to be caught.
Wolf added 103 yards and a touchdown on the rush and finished the game 7-of-9 throwing for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Medina was an all-purpose player who recorded 109 total yards and two receiving touchdowns, while Smith contributed 90 yards and a touchdown.
“Wolf was simply exceptional,” Coach Smith remarked. He did a fantastic job making the choices to give it or keep it. He played through the fact that they are also really physical. A truly remarkable performance.
Fullerton recorded 128 yards and a touchdown via the air, while Williamson led the Oakers with 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Oakland’s undefeated season was ended by the defeat, while St. Paul’s record rose to 13-0.
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–Nik Streng investigates Oregon high school athletics. You may contact him at @NikStreng or [email protected].
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