Siuslaw wins behind a dominating second half to advance to

quarterfinals.

Siuslaw: 07 07 07 14—35

Gladstone: 07 00 07 00—14

If you were to look at the final score of last Friday’s playoff win over Gladstone, you could forgive them for thinking that it was just another easy Siuslaw blowout victory.

They would be right about the victory part, but it wasn’t easy.

Despite five Viking turnovers and nine penalties, Siuslaw was able to pull out a gusty win over the 13th-ranked Gladiators of Gladstone last Friday night in the second round of the OSAA 4A playoffs.

It looked like it was going to be an easy win for the Viks when senior Drew Rainwater returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and an early 7-0 Siuslaw lead.

On the ensuing possession, the Gladiators marched right down to the Viking 10-yard line. Siuslaw’s defense held, however, getting the ball back after stopping Gladstone on fourth-and-two.

After forcing the Vikings to punt, the Gladiators evened the score 7-7 when Gladstone junior quarterback Taylor Taft ran in for the touchdown from 17-yards out.

At that point, things just weren’t going Siuslaw’s way.

Gladiator defensive-back Austin Foteff intercepted a Jacob Mitchell pass. Then after holding Gladstone to three-and-out, the Gladiators recovered a Viking fumble to get the ball back.

Siuslaw’s defense stopped them yet again and the Vikings took advantage when Mitchell hit Tyler Mais for a spectacular 67-yard touchdown and a 14-7 Siuslaw halftime lead.

The Vikings put pressure on Gladstone early in the second half with Mitchell hitting an open Rainwater for a 32-yard touchdown and what felt at the time to be a comfortable two touchdown lead.

Siuslaw got the ball back once again and looked as if they were ready to put the Gladiators away when senior defensive-back Darrell Fields picked off Mitchell and waltzed in for a 57-yard touchdown, trimming the Viking lead just one touchdown and silencing the capacity Florence crowd.

Unfazed, Mitchell and the Vikings picked up right where they had left off, quickly marching down field thanks to a fantastic 37-yard catch on third-and-16 by Anthoney Robinson, and ended the drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Mitchell and a 28-14 fourth quarter lead.

Later, Mitchell found Robinson again, this time for a 24-yard touchdown and a commanding 35-14 lead.

Siuslaw’s defense was absolutely dominating, especially in the crucial second-half when they allowed an astonishing -23 yards of total offense.

“It took us a little bit to get going,” said Siuslaw Head Coach Tim Dodson.

“With two weeks off you’re just not quite at game speed.”

Despite throwing an uncharacteristic three interceptions, Mitchell accounted for 347 of the Vikings 351 yards of offense, throwing for 229 yards and rushing for 121, including 85 in the all-important second half.

“That game shows Jacob’s character,” said Dodson

“He really is a special young man.”

Coming into the game, Dodson knew he had to have strong play from his line.

“Cameron Thrall, Devin White, Billy Bursaw and Joel Bechtold absolutely did a great job for us up front,” said Dodson.

“Those kids are really playing well and because of that we are able to make plays.”

Dodson also pointed to Bechtold’s energy.

“Joel has really grown up,” said Dodson.

“Early on in his career he let his emotions get the better of him. He has gained control and now uses them for positive energy for our football team.”

Center Ben Daniels was a rock providing a calming influence despite wet conditions.

Mitchell also had help from his receivers, who made the important catches when they needed them.

Rainwater finished with seven catches for 83 yards to go along with his 85-yard kickoff return and Robinson hauled in three catches for 76 yards and a score.

The Vikings season continues this Friday at 7 p.m. when they head to Monmouth to take on the seventh-rated Central Panthers at Western Oregon University.

The game will be broadcast by KCST with the pre-game starting at 6:30 p.m.

Elsewhere around the Far West League:

Tenth-ranked North Bend beat Newport 48-6 behind Kale Forrester’s three touchdowns. The Bulldogs travel to Sisters this Friday to take on super-star running back Cory McCaffrey and the number-one ranked Outlaws in what should be a quarterfinal classic.

Sutherlin continued it’s Cinderella story, upsetting third-ranked La Salle on the road 28-21 and giving the Far West League three teams in the final eight. The Bulldogs trailed 21-14 in the fourth quarter before storming back to win the game. Sutherlin hosts second-ranked Ontario this Saturday.