Ken Roberts
For The New Era
Wilsonville left its impression on the soggy turf of Husky stadium, proving to many spectators why it might be the number one team in the state. After beating Sweet Home 37-0, it convinced coach Rob Younger that the Wildcats would at least be a major factor in the state playoffs.
“It’s too early in the season to say if they are the best in the state,” said Younger. “With their experience and number of gifted athletes, it makes them multi-dimensional. They can attack you both offensively and defensively.”
Wilsonville threw an array of offensive weapons at the Huskies, starting with the opening play, a 71 yard strike from Daniel Sikstrom to Colin McLeod. Sikstrom, a sophomore, was the back up quarterback and was used in a number of ways in the Wildcat offense. That was just one example of the versatility on display.
In racking up close to 200 yards rushing, Wilsonville ran 10 different ball carriers, with no single player running over five times. In its passing game, they completed five big play passes, the shortest one for 13 yards.
In contrast, to open up the running game, Sweet Home tried to spread its offense with passes to the flat. With their team speed, Wilsonville’s linebackers and corners were able to stifle that strategy. Though the quarterback tandem of Cody Shipp and Kyle Pettit were collectively nine for twelve, the Huskies only gained 34 yards through the air.
Younger was impressed with the speed that the Wildcats possessed.
“You make up for speed with execution,” stated Younger, noting the inconsistency of the Husky offense in that regard.
On their second series of the game, Sweet Home had an opportunity open when they recovered a Wilsonville fumble at the Wildcat 41. But two plays later, Shipp fumbled the ball back to Wilsonville, one of four Husky fumbles on the night. After six rushing plays and a 15 yard Husky penalty, Wilsonville called on Spencer Smith for the final 4 yards on their scoring drive.
In the second quarter, the Husky defense matched up to Wilsonville, forcing another fumble.
Still the offense had its troubles, offering up another fumble and interception of their own.
“Our defense is still ahead of our offense,” said Younger. “At times we play the way we are capable of playing. We need to get everyone more consistent.”
Late in the second quarter, Sweet Home made its furthest advancement into Wilsonville territory after a 20 yard pass from Pettit to Lindsay. However, on the next play, the Wildcats picked off a Pettit pass to end the threat. Also, during the quarter, the Huskies lost starting tailback Travis Smith after he reinjured an old shoulder injury following a pass reception.
In the second half, Wilsonville asserted itself both on offense and defense while the Huskies had difficulty with their execution, giving up the ball on turnovers, a bad punt snap, and sacks at critical moments.
The leading ground gainers for the Huskies were Ryan Elliott, 6 carries for 33 yards, and Trevor Tagle, also 6 carries for 31 yards, with Sweet Home totaling 120 yards on 32 carries.
Charlie Fitzsimons and Brian Lindsay each had two receptions apiece. Matt Campbell, substituting for Heath Belknap, who had a hamstring injury, performed well with a 34 yard net punting average.
Going into the Central game, Younger expects to make some position changes but not necessarily wholesale changes. The playing status of Smith and Brandon Martin is still questionable for next week’s game.
“We don’t need to panic right now,” said Younger. “We’re not that far away.”
Calendar: The Huskies hope to find a way to execute soundly and hold onto the football at Panther stadium next Friday at 7 p.m.
HUSKY SCOREBOARD
Varsity Football
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
SHHS 0 0 0 0 0
Sherwood 14 0 14 9 37
1st Quarter
Wil–Sikstrom to McLeod 71 yd.pass (Patey kick)
Wil–S.Smith 4 yd. run (Patey kick)
3rd Quarter
Wil–Grassi 4 yd. run (Patey kick)
Wil–Sikstrom 1 yd. run (Patey kick)
4th Quarter
Wil–C.Smith 61 yd. run (pass failed)
Wil–Patey 20 yd. field goal
Team Stats
Rushing: SHHS 33-124; Wilsonville 35-203
Passing: SHHS 35; Wilsonville 172
Sacks: SHHS 0-0; Wilsonville 3-34
Total: SHHS 125; Wilsonville 375
1st Downs: SHHS 8; Wilsonville 10
Turnovers: SHHS 5; Wilsonville 3
Penalties: SHHS 7-46.5; Wilsonville 10-75
Individual Stats
Rushing: SHHS: Elliott 6-32; Tagle 6-31
Smith 9-29; Pettit 8-28;
Fisher 1-5; Shipp 3-(-1)
Wil: C.Smith 5-92, Grassi 5-27
Passing: SHHS: Pettit 5-7-1, 24; Shipp 4-5, 11
Wil: Crace 4-7, 101; Sikstrom 1-1, 71
Receiving: SHHS: Lindsay 2-19; Fitzsimons 2-15
Morneault 2-(-2); Faulconer 1-6; Tagle 1-1; Smith 1-(-4)
Wil: McLeod 3-117; Sikstrom 1-29
S. Smith 1-26
Punts: SHHS: Campbell 5-177 (35.4, 34.2 net)
Wil: Crace 2-64 (32, 32 net)
Punt Ret: SHHS: None
Wil: McLeod 1-6
Kick Ret: SHHS: Carter 3-51,Tagle 2-16, Smith 2-39
Wil: Chay 1-20
Interceptions: SHHS: 1, Lindsay; Wilsonville 1
Fumble Rec: SHHS: 2 (Campbell, Morneault)
Wilsonville 4