By René Ferrán | For The Oregonian/OregonLive
Photos by Taylor Balkom, Serena Morones, Leon Neuschwander, Rockne Roll and Ken Waz, for The Oregonian/OregonLive
Writing for The Oregonian/OregonLive last fall, I had the pleasure to watch some of the best high school football games from around the state, which produced a cavalcade of memorable moments – too numerous to count, but I’ve distilled 10 that were especially worthwhile.
- René Ferrán (rferran.oregonianhssports@gmail.com)
10. Keith Brown’s strip sack against Silverton
It was my first time seeing Lebanon play, and afterward an observer asked what I thought of the Lebanon junior who is the nation's No. 1 inside linebacker recruit and recently committed to Oregon. Dominant players are expected to dominate on every down, but that often isn't the case. What they deliver, though, are big plays in big moments, and Brown did just that with what looked to be a game-sealing turnover (see below for what transpired later). (GAME STORY)
9. Brady Brock’s touchdown against West Albany
The Crater senior was filling in for bellcow running back Gavin Acrey as the Comets faced third down in their territory midway through the fourth quarter with the score tied in a Class 5A state semifinal. He took a stretch play off right tackle meant just to get a first down and turned it into a 69-yard gallop for the go-ahead score that propelled Crater to its first state final. The significance of the moment wasn't lost on him, either – "We're going to state, baby!" was his driving thought as he raced down the sideline. (GAME STORY)
8. Silverton’s 97-yard game-winning drive
The Foxes trailed 25-22 after Vandon Fessler's interception at their 3-yard line erased the impact of Brown's strip sack. Silverton then marched the length of the field in 16 plays, capping it with Hayden Roth's 7-yard touchdown run with 2:59 to play in a 29-25 victory that was in line with the thrillers this Mid-Willamette Conference rivalry is known for. (GAME STORY)
7. Wesley Kommer's go-ahead score against Crater
Confession: When I created my NFL-style 53-man roster, Kommer completely slipped my mind. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess. My bad, though, as the Thurston senior reminded me with two strong performances in the semifinal and final, culminating with this 41-yard touchdown that elevated the Colts to a second consecutive Class 5A state title. (GAME STORY)
6. Pick your long Holy War run
Between Jesuit seniors Kade Wisher and Ted Atkinson running behind a dominant offensive line, I don't remember witnessing a better running game in my 25-plus year career than what I saw that night. The Crusaders' 42-26 victory proved to be the last loss for Central Catholic in 2019. (GAME STORY)
5. Elijah Elliott’s final seconds in the season opener
Considering everything the Central Catholic senior underwent in the month before the Rams' Week 1 contest at West Linn, his performance in the 35-27 victory was sublime. As he stood in the backfield all alone with the Rams in victory formation, the emotions of the moment cascading upon him, it was a poignant moment that put sports in perspective. (GAME STORY)
4. Silas Starr’s energizing catch against West Linn
The Rams' rematch with West Linn in the quarterfinals was not going their way. They needed a spark in the worst way, and the Stanford-bound wideout delivered with the catch of the year – a Did you see that?!? play that ignited an eventual 42-35 victory. (GAME STORY)
3. Lake Oswego’s final play against West Linn
Fourth-and-goal, time ticking away in the final seconds, no timeouts left, and with the Lakers sideline frantically trying to plan a play, All-American senior Casey Filkins demanded the ball and plunged into the end zone from 2 yards as time expired for a 20-17 victory. (GAME STORY)
2. Central Catholic's championship drive
Championship teams come up with clutch drives when the moment calls for them. Central Catholic summoned such a drive to answer Filkins' 58-yard tying touchdown midway through the third quarter of their Class 6A state final. Quarterback Cade Knighton carved up the Lakers defense during a 12-play, 80-yard drive, hitting six receivers over five-plus minutes before finding Kalvin Souders on an 11-yard pass that put the Rams ahead for good. (GAME STORY)
1. Joe Hutson chases down Kade Wisher
It was a moment worthy of SportsCenter and one of the most amazing plays I've ever seen. Wisher looked ready to put Jesuit up by eight with 10½ minutes remaining in its Class 6A state semifinal against Lake Oswego. Instead, the Lakers senior came from nowhere to punch the ball from Wisher's grasp a yard shy of the end zone, then caught the ball in midair as he fell to the Hillsboro Stadium turf for the touchback. Lake Oswego went on to a 28-21 victory – the third consecutive year the Lakers ended Jesuit's season in the state playoffs. (GAME STORY)
Oregon’s best high school football players: One writer’s list of the top 20 he saw in 2019
Ad Choices