Gabe Matthews attends practice on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015, at South Salem High School.

South Salem’s Gabe Matthews throws as the Saxons defeat West Salem 50-43 in overtime during a game on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, in Salem.

Growing up a couple blocks away from South Salem High School, Gabe Matthews dreamed of being the star quarterback even when he was a ball boy for the team when he was a little kid.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior became a star on his own.

Between rushing and kicking, Matthews has scored 121 points. When combined with his 30 touchdown passes, he’s had a hand in 301 of South Salem’s 411 points this season.

He’s led No. 6-ranked South Salem to its second consecutive Greater Valley Conference championship this season and heads into Friday’s 7 p.m. home game against North Medford in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state playoffs having established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the state.

“He’s a gamer,” senior receiver Joseph Carey said. “He came here to win. That’s what he’s done.”

Matthews is 120 of 191 passing for 1,893 yards and 30 touchdowns with two interceptions this season.

What has helped Matthews this season is he hasn’t had to run the ball as much.

He rushed for 364 yards and 10 touchdowns on 57 carries this season compared to rushing for 587 yards and 10 touchdowns on 105 carries as a junior.

South Salem’s Gabe Matthews kicks the ball for an extra point during their game with Sprague on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015.

The emergence of junior running back Francisco Ramirez-Perez – who has rushed for 745 yards and six touchdowns on 96 carries – has allowed Matthews to not have to run the ball as much.

Matthews remembers that after a number of games in his junior year he would hurt.

“And I don’t think I had a game all this year when I was physically uncomfortable,” Matthews said. “I just feel like there’s times when I’ve been smarter, not sliding necessarily, but knowing when to get away from a hit, knowing when to escape, when not to, when to get out of bounds so I take less hits. It’s helping my body a lot better and it’s helping me be more effective.”

Matthews has been South Salem’s kicker and punter since his sophomore year.

For his career he is 140 of 147 kicking points after touchdowns and 11 of 15 kicking field goals, kicked off 184 times and punted 93 times, including averaging 37.7 yards per punt this season.

The thing is, though, that he doesn’t like kicking.

But he’s good at it.

“People have told me to go to college and kick,” Matthews said. “No, I honestly don’t like kicking a whole lot, but I’m good at it, so I might as well take that role for the team.

“Even if I don’t like it, I might as well go out and put my best effort into kicking. It’s not like I go outside of practice and just focus on kicking. I’d rather go hit tees or go play catch with the football.”

One of the things that has made Matthews a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators – and makes it hard on linebackers – is the threat of Matthews running the ball.

But he’s gotten better at using his legs to keep plays going, rather than just tucking the ball and running.

South Salem’s Gabe Matthews and the Saxons defeat McNary 56-12 in a Greater Valley Conference game on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015.

“He’s always looking downfield,” Carey said. “That’s what’s contributed a lot to our success.”

Though Matthews is best known as a quarterback on the football field, his future is on the baseball diamond.

He’s going to sign a letter of intent Nov. 12 to play baseball at Oregon.

“Baseball is kind of one of the sports where not a lot of people go out and watch,” Matthews said. “People don’t go out to high school baseball games as much as they do for football.”

Basketball has been Matthews’ opportunity to be a role player and not be required to carry the team.

But it’s also where Matthews has had the most team success.

A starter since his freshman year, his teams won league championships the past two years and placed third and fifth at the state tournament the past two years.

“Yeah, I’m going to start, I’m going to play defense, I’m going to rebound,” Matthews said. “I’ll get points here and there, I’ll get 10 points a game, but that’s fine with me as long as we’re winning games, and that’s what we’ve been doing the past three, four years.”

Though Matthews’ numbers are remarkably similar to what they were last year – except he has thrown two interceptions this season compared to five last season – he has improved.

His quiet leadership has been a calming influence in tight games.

“I think just mentally I’ve been better,” he said. “It’s not as much pressure on me as it was last year. I’m not saying our guys last year were bad, but I feel like we developed more from last year to this year and I’ve developed more.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

North Medford at No. 6 South Salem, 7 p.m. Friday

On the air: Radio on KBZY 1490 AM, audio on www.Clypian.com, video on CCTV2 Channel 22 at 11:59 p.m.

Sprague’s Teagan Quitoriano runs the ball as the Olympians defeat McNary 21-14 during a Greater Valley Conference game Oct. 30 in Keizer.

Class 6A playoffs

McNary vs. No. 5 Central Catholic, 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Hillsboro Stadium

On different paths: No. 5 seed Central Catholic (7-2) came back from a rough start to the season by winning seven straight; No. 28 seed McNary (4-5) has lost three straight.

Impressive run by Central Catholic: The Rams won the past two Class 6A state championships and for a reason. The Rams feature one of the state’s top players in senior safety Brady Breeze, who has committed to play at Oregon.

Sunset at Sprague, 7:15 p.m. Friday

Rematch: Last year Sprague lost 49-24 to Sunset in the first round of the state playoffs in a game at Sprague. They’re in the same place this time, but Sprague desperately wants a different result. The No. 13 seed Olympians (7-2) are the favorite against No. 20 seed Sunset (5-4), but the Olympians’ two game winning streak won’t make much of an impact in this game.

Franklin at West Salem, 7 p.m. Friday

On the air: Radio on KYKN 1430 AM.

Pass-happy Frankin: The No. 19 seed Quakers (5-4) like to throw the ball. Franklin senior quarterback Max Hawkins is 134 of 220 passing for 1,744 yards and 16 touchdowns against six interceptions. No. 14 seed West Salem (6-3) needs to get pressure on him to get him and get him out of his rhythm.

North Medford at No. 6 South Salem, 7 p.m. Friday

On the air: Radio on KBZY 1490 AM, audio on www.Clypian.com, video on CCTV2 Channel 22 at 11:59 p.m.

A playoff challenge: Not that any of the Saxons forget, but last year South Salem came into the first round of the state playoffs undefeated and were upset. This year the challenge in the first round for No. 6 seed South Salem (9-0) is to get past a No. 27 seed North Medford (4-5), an at-large team. The Black Tornado was held to 73 yards rushing in last week’s 64-14 loss to Sheldon.

North Salem at No. 2 Sherwood, 7 p.m. Friday

A wing-T heavy game: Both of these teams have become known for their use of the run-heavy offense. No. 2 seed Sherwood (9-0) is led by junior running back Davis Morris, who has rushed for 650 yards and seven touchdowns on 46 carries. Sherwood has the No. 2 scoring defense in the state, having allowed 146 points this season. The No. 31 seed Vikings (3-6) are one of three three-win teams in the state to reach the state playoffs.

Class 5A playoffs

No. 8 Hillsboro at No. 9 Central, 7 p.m. Friday

On the air: Radio on KAJC 90.1 FM.

Hot streak: Central righted the ship in the past few weeks, winning three straight. The improvement elevated the team to a No. 7 seed with a 6-3 record and a conference championship. Hillsboro’s seven-game winning streak was snapped by Wilsonville last year, but the Spartans (7-2) are a dangerous team out of a good league that is not to be overlooked.

Silverton at No. 2 Crater, 7 p.m. Friday

Pass-defense test: No. 2 seed Crater has had a lot of success with big plays in the air this season. Crater senior quarterback Matt Struck is 141 for 250 (56 percent) passing for 2,199 yards for 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. No. 15 seed Silverton (5-4) will have to limit the big passes in order to have a shot.

Cascade’s Garrett Coffey runs the ball as the Cougars defeat Stayton 31-7 in an Oregon West Conference game on Oct. 16.

Class 4A playoffs

No. 3 Cascade at La Grande, 7 p.m. Friday

An awkward matchup: Cascade is ranked No. 3 in the state and is widely considered one of the top teams in the state after going 8-1, but because of the OSAA’s postseason structure is now the No. 9 seed and has to travel five hours to play a La Grande (7-1) team against which it is heavily favored. That Cascade has such a tough road in the playoffs is going to turn the talented Cougars into road warriors in the playoffs.

North Marion at No. 5 Sisters, 7 p.m. Friday

Familiar coach: Sisters coach Gary Thorson has had a huge impact for No. 2 seed Sisters (7-0). He formerly was the coach at Dallas and Dayton, among other schools, and is having the same kind of impact in his second year with the Outlaws he had elsewhere. No. 15 seed North Marion (4-5), a play-in winner on the road last week against Phoenix, is in the state playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Class 3A playoffs

Nyssa at Scio, 7 p.m. Friday

No. 1 seed Loggers: The only questions the Loggers (9-0) have had the past five games is how fast they would get to a 45-point advantage and a rolling clock. Against No. 16 seed Nyssa (4-4), the question is the same. After missing a game two weeks ago due to an ankle injury, Scio senior running back Anthony Johnson returned strong and now is up to 2,828 yards and 38 touchdowns rushing on 156 carries.

Salem Academy at Rainier, 7 p.m. Friday

Puzzling matchup: Somehow Salem Academy finished the regular season 7-2 overall, but is the No. 9 seed for the state playoffs and Rainier is 4-5 is the No. 8 seed for the playoffs. Rainier went 3-0 to win the Lewis & Clark League and guaranteed itself a state playoff berth despite being No. 13 in the final OSAA power rankings.

Clatskanie vs. Blanchet, 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: McCulloch Stadium

Mismatch of numbers: On paper this game should be an easy one for Blanchet. The No. 3 seed Cavaliers (8-1) haven’t been challenged the past couple weeks and are playing one of the lowest ranked teams in the postseason in No. 14 seed Clatskanie (3-6).

Dayton at Harrisburg, 7 p.m. Friday

On the air: Radio on http://www.KLYC.us

Change of fortunes: When Dayton was upset 16-8 by Amity last week, it dropped the Pirates to 6-2. But more importantly it dropped them to a No. 10 seed for the state playoffs and puts them in a first-round game at No. 7 seed Harrisburg (7-2). Harrisburg, last year’s state runner-up, is dangerous behind an attack featuring quarterback Tel Jones, who was 12-for-23 passing for 204 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 24-20 loss to Coquille.

Pleasant Hill at Santiam Christian, 7 p.m. Friday

Former league rivals: A couple years ago these teams were combatants in the PacWest Conference. Now they’re in different conferences, but Santiam Christian (8-1) is still one of the state’s top teams. No. 2 seed Santiam Christian has a good draw against No. 15 seed Pleasant Hill (3-6).

Blanchet’s Ben Bartch runs the ball on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015, in Salem, Ore.

Class 2A playoffs

Irrigon at Kennedy, 1 p.m. Saturday

Rested Trojans: No. 4 seed Kennedy (7-1) had a bye in the final week of the regular season and should have plenty of time to prepare for No. 13 seed Irrigon (6-3). The Knights were an at-large qualifier to the state playoffs.

Myrtle Point at Regis, 7 p.m. Friday

A streak: The hottest team in Class 2A is No. 3 seed Regis (6-3). The Rams have won three straight, including last week’s 28-6 win against Santiam to clinch a share of the Tri-River Conference championship and a state playoff spot.

Class 1A playoffs

Pine Eagle at No. 5 Perrydale, noon Saturday

The perks of being a champion: Perrydale’s 62-14 win against Arlington last week gave the team its first league championship since 2008 and a No. 6 seed with an 8-0 record. No. 11 seed Pine Eagle (7-2) comes from a tough league – 1A Special District 1 – but Perrydale’s rushing attack is something Pine Eagle hasn’t seen this year.

West Salem’s Paige Whipple (12) kills a ball against Central Catholic in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state tournament at Liberty High School in Hillsboro on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.

West Salem’s Kayla Bain (back) blocks a ball against in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state tournament at Liberty High School in Hillsboro on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.

West Salem fans heckle Central Catholic’s Taylor Gorretta in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state tournament at Liberty High School in Hillsboro on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.

West Salem’s Kasey Campbell hits past a Central Catholic block in their match in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state tournament at Liberty High School in Hillsboro on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.

HILLSBORO – The Titans showed spunk.

At times during West Salem High School’s volleyball match against Central Catholic on Friday in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state tournament, the Titans would start communicating, putting down big kills and reeling off points against one of the best teams in the state.

But Central Catholic doesn’t let up for long.

West Salem was swept by Central Catholic, the state runner-up the past two years, 25-13, 25-18, 25-14 out of the first round and into the consolation bracket in their first state tournament appearance in almost a decade.

“The emotional spurts didn’t maintain the momentum, which is what we needed to play the way we needed to play. When we get quiet, we get on our heels,” West Salem coach Katie Herber said. “When we’re all joined and loud and working together, that’s when we play our best ball.”

No. 2 seed Central Catholic (26-3) advances to play Sheldon in Friday’s 6:30 p.m. state semifinal round.

No. 7 West Salem (20-4) next plays in the consolation semifinals against Lakeridge at 8 a.m. Saturday.

The Titans need a win to guarantee themselves of placing in the tournament.

“We’re going to come out stronger than we did,” said West Salem setter Mattie Kelly, who had 24 assists and seven digs. “We want to start off at a high point.

“We want to start off first five points, and that will determine how we’re going to be the rest of the set. We just want to prove to the state that the GVC is where it’s at and really want to show them who we are and represent our school.”

Being in the state tournament ended a couple of streaks.

It was the second time Herber had a team at a state tournament, the other being Sprague in 2002.

West Salem was in the state tournament for the first time since 2006.

“I’ve played volleyball for a long time and came to this and watched all of the older girls play in it, and not to be a part of it, it’s like a crazy opportunity,” Kelly said. “It’s cool to see everyone being involved, like all the students involved and how crazy it gets and loud, it’s super exciting.”

West Salem went on a late 5-0 run – including kills by Kayla Bain and Kasey Campbell – to cut Central Catholic’s lead in the second to 24-18, but a service error on set point ended the threat.

The Rams went up 6-0 and down 14-5, West Salem went on a 7-0 run including two kills by Paige Whipple.

But Central Catholic finished the match out to sweep West Salem for the second time this season.

The Titans’ goal the whole season has been to place at the state tournament, and that is still a legitimate

“It’s been our mission from the beginning,” Herber said. “It’s awesome to be part of it. Obviously we wished for a different outcome and hoped for more, but with that there was things that we needed to do that we didn’t take care of. Moving forward it will be really excited to see what they take from this match, then what they’ve learned to apply it to our next match.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Central Catholic d. West Salem 3-0

Set scores: 25-13, 25-18, 25-14

Kills- Pagie Whipple (WS) 14; Digs- Whipple (WS) 9; Blocks- Delaney Smith (WS) 2; Assists- Mattie Kelly (WS) 24; Aces- Whipple (WS) 2.

Silverton High School fans cheer for their team but they lost all three sets against Summit during their first round game in the OSAA Class 5A state volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, in Hillsboro, Ore.

Silverton High School’s Kayce McLaughlin (6) hits the ball past a Summit defender during their first round game in the OSAA Class 5A state volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, in Hillsboro, Ore.

Silverton High School’s Maggie Buchholz (8) goes up for a kill but is blocked by Summit defenders during their first round game in the OSAA Class 5A state volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, in Hillsboro, Ore.

HILLSBORO – A young Silverton High team was in the OSAA Class 5A state volleyball tournament for the first time since 2000.

Their inexperience showed.

The Foxes led the majority of the second set and early in the third set against perennial state power Summit in Friday’s first round of the OSAA Class 5A state tournament at Liberty High School.

But Silverton’s youth and enthusiasm couldn’t hold off the age and experience of Summit in a 25-17, 25-21, 25-17 loss.

“A lot of nerves, not just for the players, but I think the fans,” third-year Silverton coach Jill Walker said. “Everyone is not knowing what to expect and the excitement of it all.

“Unfortunately, sometimes those nerves take over and you don’t end up going as far as you’d like to go. But we’re ready to come tomorrow and put our game faces on and see what tomorrow brings.”

No. 11 Silverton (16-8) next plays in the consolation semifinals at 10 a.m. Saturday against Ashland.

Silverton High School’s Ally Fennimore (5) serves the ball against Summit during their first round game in the OSAA Class 5A state volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, in Hillsboro, Ore.

No. 3 seed Summit (16-6) advances to Friday’s 8:30 p.m. state semifinal round to play Lebanon.

Not only was a Silverton team with two seniors in the state tournament for the first time in 15 years, this season was the Foxes’ first in the state playoffs since 2010.

And it was Walker’s first time in a state tournament after stops at Regis and Scio.

Summit dominated the first set, but Silverton took the initial lead in the second set, led 13-6 on a block by Rachel Renfrow and was up as late as 20-19.

“We were in the groove,” Walker said. “We had all the pieces. Our serve-receive was there, our sets were there, our hits were going down. When we finally find that groove, it’s staying in that groove.”

Silverton started strong in the third and was up 6-4 on a kill by Renfrow, but Summit came back strong to move on.

A Silverton team that starts three juniors and two sophomores – including Olivia Pavlicek, who had seven kills – overachieved by making the state tournament this season.

This experience is going to be invaluable to the team for the future.

“A lot is inexperience and not knowing what to do when they’re put in situations because they haven’t had the experience to know what to do,” Walker said.

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Summit d. Silverton 3-0

Set scores: 25-17, 25-21, 25-17.

Kills- Olivia Pavlicek (Sil) 7; Blocks- Rachel Renfrow (Sil) 2; Aces- Kayce McLaughlin (Sil) 2.

Silverton High School’s Rachel Renfrow (13) and Kayce McLaughlin (6) goes up for a block against a Summit hitter during their first round game in the OSAA Class 5A state volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, in Hillsboro, Ore.

North Salem’s Hunter Sullivan throws a pass against Sherwood in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state playoffs on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.

North Salem’s John Stott is tackled by a bunch of Sherwood players in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state playoffs on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.

North Salem’s Junior Sandoval (9) runs up the middle against Sherwood in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state playoffs on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.

Sherwood’s David Morris (right) runs for an 11-yard touchdown against North Salem in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state playoffs on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.

Alex Vasquez caught touchdown passes of 61 and eight yards from Hunter Sullivan to give No. 31 seed North Salem High football team leads of 7-0 and 13-7 against No. 2 Sherwood.

But the Bowmen eventually made their presence felt.

Sherwood scored the final 17 points before halftime for a 24-13 lead and pulled away early in the second half for a 59-20 win in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state playoffs.

North Salem finishes the season 3-7.

Sherwood (10-0) advances to host Tigard in the Nov. 13 second round of the 6A state playoffs.

The Vikings rushed for 116 yards on 24 carries in the first half.

West Salem’s Kasey Campbell (2) spikes the ball against Sunset during the fourth place gameof the 6A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. West Salem lost 3-2 to place sixth.

West Salem’s Mattie Kelly (10) sets the ball gainst Sunset during the fourth place gameof the 6A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. West Salem lost 3-2 to place sixth.

West Salem’s Kasey Campbell (2) with a kill against Sunset during the fourth place gameof the 6A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. West Salem lost 3-2 to place sixth.

West Salem’s Paige Whipple (12) with a kill against Sunset during the fourth place gameof the 6A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. West Salem lost 3-2 to place sixth.

The West Salem volleyball team with their sixth place trophy after losing 3-2 against Sunset during the fourth place gameof the 6A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore.

West Salem outside hitter Paige Whipple (12) carries the sixth place trophy back to her team after losing 3-2 against Sunset during the fourth place gameof the 6A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore.

HILLSBORO – When West Salem High School’s volleyball team placed sixth in the OSAA Class 6A state volleyball tournament at Liberty High School on Saturday, it was significant for two reasons.

For one, it was the first time the team placed at the state tournament since 2006, and it was the first time any team from West Salem placed in an OSAA state tournament since 2011.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” junior outside hitter Paige Whipple said. “Our biggest goal from the start of the season was to place in state and so going into that match against Sunset, we already had accomplished that goal of placing in state.

“No matter the outcome we were going to go place and so we just kind of came in, we have nothing to lose, just go for it and just have fun.”

The other thing that is significant is West Salem considers it as a step in the right direction because the Titans have no seniors.

And in going 20-5 this season, the Titans checked off a lot of accomplishments like winning their first state playoff game in 10 years and making the state tournament for the first time in a decade.

“This year was about placing in the state, next year is about winning it,” West Salem coach Katie Herber said. “And that’s really what our goal is. We knew that this year was about experience and doing the best we possibly could, and you could see it on the girls’ faces, it was hard for them.

“Now they know what it’s like, now they’ve been here, now they have another year of club and experience that they’re going to apply to it.”

In Saturday’s consolation semifinals, West Salem defeated Lakeridge 20-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-13 behind 30 kills by Whipple and 11 kills by Kasey Campbell.

In the fourth place match, West Salem was up 2-1 in sets and was up 20-19 in the fourth set, but Sunset finished strong to win 20-25, 25-22, 21-25, 27-25, 15-13.

Whipple had 44 kills and 15 digs, Campbell had 11 kills, 12 digs and two aces and Mattie Kelly had 62 assists and two blocks.

It was a sign of inexperience on West Salem’s part that they let the fourth set and the match get away, but it was something the Titans can learn from.

“Next year our goal is going to be to win the state championship,” Whipple said. “If we can place sixth this year, why not place first next year. We’re not losing anyone.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Sunset d. West Salem 3-2

Set scores: 20-25, 25-22, 21-25, 27-25, 15-13

Kills- Paige Whipple (WS) 44; Digs- Whipple (WS) 15; Blocks- Mattie Kelly (WS) 2, Whipple (WS) 2, Delaney Smith (WS) 2, Kayla Bain (WS) 2; Assists- Kelly (WS) 62; Aces- Kasey Campbell (WS) 2.

West Salem d. Lakeridge 3-1

Set scores: 20-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-13

Kills- Whipple (WS) 30; Digs- Whipple (WS) 15; Blocks- Bain (WS) 3; Assists- Kelly (WS) 44; Aces- Campbell (WS) 3.

Silverton’s Maggie Buckholz (8) hits the ball against Ashland during the consolation round of the 5A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. Silverton lost 3-2.

Silverton’s Rachel Renfrow (13) sets the ball against Ashland during the consolation round of the 5A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. Silverton lost 3-2.

Silverton libero Megan Mannion (4) dives for a ball against Ashland during the consolation round of the 5A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. Silverton lost 3-2.

For the seventh year in a row, the Santiam Christian High volleyball team placed at the Class 3A state volleyball tournament.

The Eagles (24-4) defeated Rainier 25-17, 25-13, 25-18 to place third at the OSAA Class 3A state volleyball tournament Saturday at Forest Grove High School.

In the 1A state volleyball tournament at Ridgeview High School in Redmond, Perrydale swept Crane 25-22, 25-15, 25-18 to place fourth.

In the 2A tournament at Ridgeview, Kennedy placed fifth after losing 25-17, 25-11, 25-18 to Grant Union and St. Paul placed sixth after falling 25-22, 25-19, 27-25 to Bonanza.

In the 5A state tournament at Liberty High School, Silverton rallied from down 2-0 in sets to Ashland and down 23-22 in the third set and pushed the match to a fifth set before falling 3-2 in the consolation semifinals and was eliminated.

Leading 12-10 in the fourth set, the Foxes went on a 9-0 run, including two aces by Ally Fennimore, and won the set 25-15.

Silverton led the early stages of the fifth set and was up 4-3, but Ashland pulled out a 14-9 lead. Silverton (16-9) briefly rallied behind kills by Fennimore and Maggie Buckholz, but a kill by Ashland’s Ellie Case.

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpehler

Blanchet quarterback R.J. Veliz gets off a pass under heavy pressure in a 32-12 win against Clatskanie in the first round of the OSAA Class 3A state playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015.

How a team finishes is supposed to be more important than how a team starts.

But the Blanchet Catholic High football team sure would have liked to start a lot better Saturday night.

After a disastrous first half, the No. 2-seed Cavaliers were fortunate to go to halftime trailing No. 15 seed Clatskanie by a 12-0 deficit in their first round of the OSAA Class 3A state playoffs at McCulloch Stadium.

“I think that the boys just kind of overlooked,” Blanchet coach Justin Hubbard said. “They got to the semis last year. They’re looking at matchups and they thought that we were going to semis just automatically.

“You can never take that mindset into a game. Everybody’s undefeated once the playoffs start until you lose and then you’re out.”

Blanchet was a different team in the second half.

The Cavaliers scored on their first four possessions of the second half – and ran out the clock on their last possession – and came up with two turnovers on defense to defeat the Rams 24-12.

Clatskanie’s Dawson Howard comes down with an interceptions while being dragged down by Nicholas Orlandini in a 24-12 loss to Blanchet in the first round of the OSAA Class 3A state playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015.

“It’s just Hubbard is inspiring us,” said Blanchet junior running back Kevin McCarthy. “We had this before. We had Horizon Christian first game of the season, we were down 12-0.

“We’ve had a couple games this year where we just haven’t come out the whole game. Hubbard keeps on saying we want a complete full game and we just haven’t really had that yet, especially not even tonight.”

Blanchet (9-1) advances to Friday’s second round and will host No. 6 seed Coquille (10-0).

Against a better team than 3-7 Clatskanie, a first half like Saturday’s would spell doom.

Blanchet made a lot of bad plays – including a punt for negative yards – committed a lot of penalties and turned the football over when quarterback R.J. Veliz was intercepted by Dawson Howard to end the half.

Add in to that Clatskanie quarterback Cooper Starkel breaking free outside for big gains and running back Wyatt McKay running for touchdowns of 12 and 10 yards in the second quarter and the Rams led 12-0.

“We made a lot of amateur mistakes with penalties,” Hubbard said. “We’ve been a pretty good team with that all year with limiting our mistakes and turnovers. It really cost us every drive we had the first half were a turnover or a big penalty that just cost us the drive.”

The second half was the complete opposite.

Blanchet running back Kevin McCarthy (22) runs past a bunch of Clatskanie defenders in a 24-12 win in the first round of the OSAA Class 3A state playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015.

Veliz bailed Blanchet out on third-and-15 on its first drive by scrambling for 24 yards and two plays later ran for a 1-yard touchdown.

After Jared Meyers forced a fumble two plays into Clatskanie’s next drive, Veliz would hit Nicholas Orlandini, and Orlandini scrambled for a 20-yard touchdown to tie the game at 12 with 2:56 left in the third quarter.

McCarthy broke for a 20-yard touchdown for an 18-12 lead with 8:59 left then broke up the middle for a 53-yard touchdown with 3:31 to put the game out of reach.

In the second half, Blanchet’s defense came up with two turnovers and limited Clatskanie’s running game on the edges.

“That kind of killed us in the first half and that quarterback, we just said we got to contain him and we’ll be able to do what we want with him,” McCarthy said. “He kind of got outside and that kind of gave us some trouble so we tried to tighten those things up and that helped us out in the second half.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Blanchet 24, Clatskanie 12

-Second quarter

CLA- Wyatt McKay 12 run (kick fail) 9:25.

CLA- McKay 10 run (run fail) 5:59.

-Third quarter

BLA- Veliz 1 run (kick fail) 6:12.

BLA- Nicholas Orlandini 20 pass from Veliz (kick fail) 2:56.

-Fourth quarter

BLA- Kevin McCarthy 20 run (pass fail) 8:59.

BLA- McCarthy 53 run (kick fail) 3:31.

Clatskanie’s Wyatt McKay runs for a touchdown in a 24-12 loss to Blanchet in the first round of the OSAA Class 3A state playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015.

Cascade’s Garrett Coffey runs the ball as the Cougars defeat Stayton 31-7 in an Oregon West Conference game Friday, Oct. 16, 2015.

It’s rare to get a second shot.

Cascade High School’s football team lost one game this season, and they’ll get a shot at redemption.

No. 3-ranked Cascade plays No. 1 Philomath at 7 p.m. Friday at Corvallis High School in an OSAA Class 4A state quarterfinal game.

“You know, the focus isn’t on them, it’s on us,” Cascade coach Steve Turner said. “They’re a great team, but we need to take care of what we need to do.”

Philomath (8-1) won 26-14 when the teams played Sept. 25 at Philomath in the Oregon West Conference opener.

The Cougars (9-1) have won six straight since then, including a 42-27 win at La Grande in the first round of the playoffs.

“That game was seven weeks ago” Turner said. “They’re a different team and we’re a different team. We started correcting those mistakes that next week. They’re a better football team than we were seven weeks ago and we are, too.”

No. 1 seed Philomath held on to beat No. 16 seed Junction City 7-0 behind 159 yards and one touchdown rushing from Trenton Looper.

Cascade senior running back Garrett Coffey rushed for 320 yards and three touchdowns on 55 carries against La Grande.

But not all was perfect on the long road trip for the Cougars.

“We had adversity over there,” Turner said. “We had 19 penalties for 214 yards and they had eight for 100 yards so there were a lot of penalties in that game. The kids handled it really well.”

Franklin’s Tun Way (33) is tackled at the ankles by West Salem’s Matt Trabosh (36) in the second half of the Franklin vs. West Salem football game in the first round of the class 6A state playoffs at West Salem High School in Salem on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015. West Salem won the game 32-0.

West Salem

After giving up 145 points in three consecutive losses earlier this season, West Salem’s defense has been getting better as the season has gone along.

The Titans (7-3) shut out McKay 21-0 and Franklin 32-0 in the past two weeks to move into Friday’s 7 p.m. second-round game at No. 4-ranked West Linn.

Scio

Scio senior running back Anthony Johnson was named the Week 9 USA Football/MaxPreps Northwest Region player of the week.

Johnson has rushed for 3,083 yards and 42 touchdowns on 185 carries this season.

Blanchet quarterback gets off a pass under heavy pressure in a 32-12 win against Clatskanie in the first round of the OSAA Class 3A state playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015.

Blanchet

At times Blanchet Catholic quarterback R.J. Veliz plays like a freshman and at times he plays like a savvy veteran.

At the end of the first half of Saturday’s 24-12 win against Clatskanie, The 6-foot-1, 160-pound freshman threw a pass that was intercepted by Dawson Howard that left the Cavaliers down 12-0 at halftime.

But on the opening drive of the second half and Blanchet facing third-and-15 at the 29-yard line, Veliz scrambled left and broke free for a 24-yard gain. Two plays later he ran untouched for a one-yard touchdown.

On the next drive Veliz hit Nicholas Orlandini with a swing pass in the left flat that Orlandini ran in for a 20-yard touchdown to tie the game at 12.

“He didn’t play like a freshman tonight,” Blanchet coach Justin Hubbard said. “He was pretty fantastic for us. He even put some balls out there that were pretty catchable in the first half.

“He really, on that first drive in the second half, he made some plays that led to us scoring that first touchdown and giving us some momentum, made some scramble plays that really were just on his own. That was him making a play and being an athlete.”

Stayton’s Alfredo Navarro and the Eagles defeat Henley 2-1 in the semifinals of the OSAA Class 4A state playoffs on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at Sprague High School.

Stayton’s Alfredo Navarro and the Eagles defeat Henley 2-1 in the semifinals of the OSAA Class 4A state playoffs on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at Sprague High School.

Stayton defeats Henley 2-1 in the semifinals of the OSAA Class 4A state playoffs on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at Sprague High School.

When Freddy Navarro lined up to take a penalty kick with three minutes left in his Stayton High School’s semifinal soccer match against Henley, there wasn’t a person in the place who doubted he was going to score.

The senior forward had dug his Eagles out of a 1-0 deficit – the third time this season Stayton had trailed – by scoring a goal with eight minutes left in the match, and Navarro had all the momentum he could want behind him.

Navarro put the penalty kick into the lower right corner of the goal to give Stayton a 2-1 win against Henley in Tuesday’s OSAA Class 4A state playoff game and sends the Eagles to the state championship match for the second year in a row.

“It’s a big deal,” Navarro said. “Just really excited to be back at the state championship. I’m just really excited.”

No. 1 seed Stayton (14-0-2) advances to Saturday’s Class 4A state championship game at 1 p.m. at Liberty High School to play No. 2 seed Sisters, a 3-2 penalty kick winner against North Marion.

Stayton lost 2-0 to North Marion in the state championship game a year ago.

“It’s exciting because not very many people get to go twice in a row, to get a second opportunity to try to take first because we took second last year so getting this opportunity again is pretty good,” said Stayton defender Levi Summers.

Henley (12-2-2) had a size advantage against Stayton and used it to win a lot of the balls in the air.

Combined with speedy midfielders and Henley’s ability to move the ball up well on the wings, Stayton got few offensive opportunities in the first half, and the match was scoreless at halftime.

“I think it affected us quite a bit because they had bigger players than us,” Stayton forward Ivan Navarro said. “For them, they have some advantages like heading the ball and kind of pushing us off of the ball.”

The youth in Stayton’s defense – none of the players in the back are returning starters – showed early in the second half.

Stayton had a throw-in in their back third of the field, but it went to a Henley player, bounced between a bunch of players before Henley’s Jared Carpenter took the ball in the air and scored it from 20 yards out for a 1-0 lead.

A Stayton team that was making its fourth state semifinal appearance in the past six years didn’t panic.

The Navarro cousins pressed the ball forward more through the center of the field as the second half pressed on.

With eight minutes left Stayton sophomore Jose Gomez fed a pass from the left wing to Freddy Navarro in the center, and he put in the equalizer.

Stayton continued to push forward immediately after Navarro’s goal, and he was fouled with under three minutes left.

Of course Navarro converted the opportunity.

“It was just a matter of time before Freddy did something,” Stayton coach Chris Shields said. “He was pretty dormant. Didn’t do a whole lot. He was a little frustrated in a sense of what he was maybe given, but he wasn’t getting a lot of opportunities.

“He gets half a chance, back of the net, before you know it here we go. With Ivan out there, between the two of them it’s very difficult to defend, they’re very difficult to stop.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Stayton 2, Henley 1

At Sprague

HEN- Dylan Castle 48:00; STA- Freddy Navarro (Jose Gomez) 72:00; STA- Freddy Navarro (PK) 77:00.

Stayton’s Ivan Navarro heads the ball as the Eagles defeat Henley 2-1 in the semifinals of the OSAA Class 4A state playoffs on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at Sprague High School.

Maddie Hopper and Emma Gibb, center, high five while girl’s basketball coach Robby Gilliam introduces them before they sign letters of intent to play softball with the University of the Pacific and basketball at UC Davis, respectively, at Western Mennonite High School in Salem on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015.

Emma Gibb and Maddie Hopper were going to finally play basketball together this season when Hopper transferred to Western Mennonite High School this year.

The pair played on a basketball team in their youth.

A knee injury Gibb sustained in August will force her to miss her senior year of basketball, but at least the two got to sign their letters of intent together.

Gibb signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at UC Davis and Hopper signed a letter of intent to play softball at University of the Pacific in a signing ceremony at Western Mennonite’s gym Wednesday.

Hopper and Gibb were the first two female athletes from Western Mennonite to sign letters of intent to Division I colleges, and the second and third athletes in the history of the school.

Gibb was the 2A state basketball player of the year as a junior after leading Western Mennonite to the 2A state championship and was a three-time first-team all-state player in her three years at Western Mennonite.

But she tore the ACL in her left knee and the meniscus in two places, requiring surgery in September that will keep her out six to eight months.

The UC Davis coaches were still committed to getting the 6-foot-2 dynamo.

Maddie Hopper, left, signs a letter of intent to play softball with the University of the Pacific while Emma Gibb signs a letter of intent to play basketball at UC Davis at Western Mennonite High School in Salem on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015.

“They still are on board,” Gibb said. “The thing about it actually happening even before school started, it gives me a lot of time, a lot of wiggle room to recover.

“There’s no chance I will even be back for this basketball season, my senior year. And so that kind of just leaves the whole year open to pull all my effort into recovery.”

Hopper transferred to Western Mennonite from West Salem this fall after her father, Mike, got a job teaching at the school.

She was a two-time, first-team all-Greater Valley Conference selection in softball at West Salem and was second-team all-state as a junior after hitting .548 with 16 doubles, seven home runs and 45 RBIs.

She also was a starter and honorable mention all-league basketball player for West Salem as a junior.

Hopper actually chose to go to Pacific before she chose to go to Western Mennonite.

“I’ve been to Stockton. I love it,” Hopper said. “It’s a big school and it’s super nice, but all the people are really close, which I like. And it just feels like a community there so I’m really looking forward to going there next year.”

The two are planning on majoring in similar areas.

Hopper said she plans on majoring in exercise sports science with the hope of becoming an athletic trainer, though she might change that to elementary school education.

Gibb said she’s planning on majoring in physical therapy.

“My physical therapist that I work with now I also job shadowed and it was really interesting to see just the wide range of people he works with, from little kids with autism to adults with knee replacements,” Gibb said. “I’m thinking that’s where I want to go.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

South Salem wide receiver Joseph Carey (6) celebrates his go ahead touchdown pass with quarterback Gabe Matthews (3) against North Medford during the first round of the 6A state playoffs, Friday, November 6, 2015, at South Salem High School in Salem, Ore. South Salem won the game 21-20.

Central High School’s Alvin Berroa runs the ball on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, in Independence, Ore.

Regis’s Adair Pelayo and the Rams fall to Kennedy 14-6 in a Tri-River Conference game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Mount Angel.

Class 6A state playoffs

No. 7 Oregon City at No. 6 South Salem, 7 p.m.

On the air: Radio on KBZY 1490 AM, audio streaming on http://www.clypian.com, video on CCTV2 at 11:59 p.m.

Ending a drought: It may not have been pretty, but South Salem’s 21-20 win against North Medford last week ended a streak for the Saxons. The win was South Salem’s first state playoff win since 2010.

Familiar face: Second-year Oregon City coach Randy Nyquist is well known in the mid-valley. He spent more than a decade in building West Albany into a state power. He coached that program to Class 5A state championships in 2007, 2008 and 2013 and he was the coach there back to the days of the old Valley League when South Salem and West Albany were league opponents. He also was the coach at Jefferson for a time and took that team to the state playoffs. At Oregon City (8-2), Nyquist has built the program in much the same mold he has at other schools: A power run-heavy offense.

Time to prove they’re for real: There has been skepticism among the state’s media of if South Salem is worthy of being considered one of the best teams in the state. The Saxons are one of four undefeated teams in the state, but are still not considered a legitimate contender for the state championship. South Salem (10-0) can make a statement by beating one of the Portland-area heavyweights in Oregon City.

West Salem at No. 4 West Linn, 7 p.m.

On the air: Radio on KYKN 1430 AM.

Testing pass defense: The Titans (7-3) made a statement in last week’s 32-0 win against Franklin as they limited the passing game. But the passing game of West Linn (9-1) is at a different level. West Linn junior quarterback Timothy Tawa has completed 190 of 272 passes (69 percent) for a state-best 3,257 yards and 41 touchdowns with two interceptions with his primary target in senior receiver Connor Berggren, who has caught 66 passes for 1,406 yards and 17 touchdowns. West Salem has its work cut out for it on defense in this game.

Class 5A state playoffs

No. 9 Central at No. 2 Crater, 7 p.m.

On the air: Radio on KAJC 90.1 FM

Resurgent Crater: Crater (10-0) is making good on the promise it showed most of the season. The Comets’ 45-0 win against Silverton in last week’s first round was the program’s first state playoff win since 2009. Crater has put up big numbers this year behind senior quarterback Matt Stuck (2,199 yards and 18 touchdowns on 56 percent completion percentage) and senior running back Cavin Gillispie (1,263 yards and 19 touchdowns on 151 carries).

Last remaining: The tough Mid-Willamette Conference didn’t have a great reputation this season after the top seven teams beat up on each other for the conference title. No. 7 seed Central (7-3) is the only of the conference’s teams still alive in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs – South Albany, Lebanon and Silverton all lost in the first round – and the Panthers have a tough task in playing No. 2 seed Crater in the quarterfinals.

Class 4A state playoffs

No. 3 Cascade vs. No. 1 Philomath, 7 p.m.

Where: Corvallis High School.

Rare turf appearance: There aren’t many schools at the Class 4A level that have turf fields, but this game is being played on turf. Between No. 1 seed Philomath (8-1) and No. 9 seed Cascade (8-1) both teams have played one game each on a turf field this season.

Rematch: Philomath defeated Cascade 26-14 on Sept. 25 when they played a game that eventually determined the Oregon West Conference champion. Philomath’s Logan Williams rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries and Trenton Looper rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, and Cascade’s Garrett Coffey rushed for 127 yards and 19 touchdowns, but in a rare feat was kept out of the end zone.

North Marion at No. 9 North Bend, 7 p.m.

Shocking North Marion: The No. 15-seed Huskies’ 21-14 win at No. 2 seed Sisters in the first round was North Marion’s first state playoff win since 1982. Ammon Suchanski rushed for two touchdowns and Noah Norris returned a punt 80 yards for the game-winning touchdown. Now the Huskies (5-5) have another long haul to play in the second round at North Bend (7-2).

Class 3A state playoffs

Salem Academy at Scio, 7 p.m.

A milestone: Salem Academy’s 35-6 win at Rainier in last week’s first round of the 3A state playoffs was the program’s first state playoff win since 1991. Salem Academy (8-2) quarterback Andrew Baker was 16 of 20 passing for 201 yards and three touchdowns in the first half of that win.

Surprisingly tested: No. 1 seed Scio (10-0) got a surprise in Friday’s 46-20 win against No. 16 seed Nyssa in that the Loggers were tested. The Loggers still rushed for 490 yards – including 255 yards and four touchdowns by Anthony Johnson – but Scio trailed 8-0 in the first quarter and 20-16 at halftime.

Conference opponents in playoffs: The one good thing about conference opponents playing in the state playoffs is the teams know each other. PacWest Conference champion Scio defeated Salem Academy 68-47 at Scio on Sept. 25 when they played in a conference game.

Coquille at Blanchet, 7:30 p.m.

Where: McCulloch Stadium.

Strong defense: The strength of Coquille (10-0) this season has been its defense. The team has held opponents to 83 points, fewest among 3A teams. A Blanchet (9-1) team that trailed No. 14 seed Clatskanie 12-0 at halftime of last week’s first round game has to start strong on offense. Coquille senior running back Joseph Scolari has rushed for 1,066 yards and 18 touchdowns on 106 carries.

Harrisburg at Santiam Christian, 7 p.m.

Rematch: No. 2 seed Santiam Christian (9-1) dominated No. 7 seed Harrisburg (8-2) 49-15 in the season opener, but Harrisburg is getting better and the Eagles have been without starting quarterback Daniel Hendrix the past two games. Santiam Christian is the only of the West Valley’s teams left in the playoffs as Harrisburg knocked off West Valley No. 2 Dayton last week.

Class 2A state playoffs

Burns at Kennedy, 1 p.m. Saturday

Tough opponent: Last year’s state champion Burns (7-3) hasn’t lost to a 2A opponent this season; the team’s losses came to 4A Sisters and 3A Vale and Taft. Burns is coached by former Cascade coach Terry Graham.

Home-field advantage: The Mount Angel home of Kennedy (8-1) has been helpful to the team this season. A 53-12 win against Irrigon in the first round of the playoffs extended the home record this season to 5-0.

Imbler at Regis, 1 p.m. Saturday

Tough rushing attack: No. 11 seed Imbler (5-4) has been adept at running the ball all season. Senior running back Tyler Tandy has rushed for 1,822 yards and 22 touchdowns on 260 carries and junior Brandon McGilvray has rushed for 605 yards and seven touchdowns on 95 carries, and an athletic Regis team has to find a way to slow the rushing attack. While No. 3 seed Regis (7-3) has been among the state’s best all season, Imbler got hot late in the season and has won four straight.

Class 1A state playoffs

No. 5 Perrydale at No. 7 Wallowa, noon Saturday

Winning tradition: Perrydale (9-0) has one of the state’s best postseason winning percentages. The Pirates are 19-12 overall in the state playoffs and have a .612 winning percentage.

A passing team: No. 3 seed Wallowa (7-3) showed in last week’s 54-20 win against Triad that the team can pass. Koby Frye was 3 of 7 passing for 100 yards and two touchdowns and Noah Allen was 3-for-3 passing for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Perrydale’s vulnerability has been in the pass defense and the Pirates must get pressure up front to keep the Cougars from spreading out the field.

Andy Armstrong speaks after signing a letter of intent to play baseball for Oregon State University during a signing day ceremony at West Salem High School on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015.

It was a good sign for Oregon State’s baseball team that Andy Armstrong walked up to the table at West Salem High School to join Tayler Gunesch and Brooke Chuhlantseff for a letter of intent signing ceremony without any brace on his left knee and with confidence.

Gunesch signed a letter of intent to play softball at Portland State, Chuhlantseff signed a letter of intent to run cross country and track and field at Oregon State and Armstrong signed his letter of intent to play baseball at Oregon State.

Armstrong verbally committed to play baseball at Oregon State a year ago, and even through he had surgery to repair torn ACL and MCLs in his left knee a month and a half ago, the coaching staff at the college were still committed to getting him.

“They’ve been very supportive of my injury,” Armstrong said. “A lot of cases someone commits and there’s an injury and they drop them. Oregon State, that’s one of the reasons I picked them is they’re very supportive.

“When they say something they keep their word. That’s one of the reasons I love where I’m at and where I’m going to go. So far along the road they’ve been very supportive and they’ll continue to be very supportive.”

Armstrong has been a five-time first-team all-league selection in football, basketball and baseball and was a first-team all-state shortstop in baseball as a junior after batting .411 with nine doubles, 19 stolen bases and 29 RBIs.

He injured his knee early in the football season and had surgery in September to fix it. He says he’s ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and hopes that in six weeks he’ll be able to jog again and wants to be back for his senior year of baseball.

Brooke Chuhlantseff, Tayler Gunesch and Andy Armstrong sits with family members after signing letters of intent to play division 1 sports during a signing day ceremony at West Salem High School on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015.

“My rehab is about six months post-op, and that puts me back in March, so the plan is to be back and I should be good to go and ready to compete,” said Armstrong, whose father Rich played baseball at Oregon.

Chuhlantseff was a three-time conference champion in cross country and five-time district champion in track and field.

She plans to major in kinesiology at Oregon State.

“I felt like it was the perfect fit for me,” Chuhlantseff said. “I felt so comfortable when I was on my visit. I love the coach. I love the team. I love the school. I love the city. I love everything about it. I think it’s a perfect fit for me.”

Gunesch was a first-team all-state second baseman as a junior after batting .578 with four home runs and scored 50 runs.

A three-time first-team all-league player, she plans to study an undetermined medical field.

She committed to Portland State a year ago, but signing to play at the school was a long time coming.

“It’s definitely nice to know after all the years of long practices and working hard and stuff that it finally kind of feels like it’s paid off, even though it gets harder once I get to college,” Gunesch said.

Also on Thursday, South Salem senior Gabe Matthews signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Oregon.

Matthews has been a starter for South Salem’s baseball team since his freshman year and has been a starter in basketball and football since his sophomore year.

He said Oregon recruited him to play third base or first base.

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Gabe Matthews signs to play baseball at the University of Oregon as his brother Brett, 8th grade, looks on, Thursday, November 12, 2015, at South Salem High School in Salem, Ore.

West Salem’s Elton Kraynik (2) heads the ball in overtime of the Central Catholic vs. West Salem boy’s soccer game in semifinals of the class 6A state playoffs at West Salem High School on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015. West Salem won the gam2-1 in overtime. The Titans will play in championship game on Nov. 14.

One team has been there before, recently and often; the other is in uncharted waters.

Stayton High School’s boys soccer team makes its second state championship game appearance in a row and third in six years when the Eagles play Sisters for the OSAA Class 4A state championship at 1 p.m. Saturday at Liberty High School.

West Salem is farther than it ever has been in the state postseason when it plays Lincoln for the OSAA Class 6A state championship at 6 p.m. Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium.

It’s no surprise Stayton, the 2010 state champion and state quarterfinalist every year since then, is in the state championship game.

The No. 1 seed Eagles (14-0-2) have won nine straight and face a dangerous team in No. 2 seed Sisters (15-0-1).

“They’ve got a lot of speed,” Stayton coach Chris Shields said. “They’re going to be trouble for us. We’ll have to play well. At this point in the season there is no way we’re going to play somebody who’s not very good.

“I’m excited about it. We’re obviously looking forward to playing. And we got a lot of young kids, so it’s exciting to see young kids get that opportunity.”

The farthest into the state postseason West Salem had been before this year was state quarterfinal appearances in 2014, 2010 and 2009.

Stayton’s Cristian Gomez and the Eagles defeat Henley 2-1 in the semifinals of the OSAA Class 4A state playoffs on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at Sprague High School.

No. 14 seed West Salem (11-4-3) is familiar with No. 4 seed Lincoln (16-2-1).

West Salem lost 2-0 to Lincoln on Sept. 17 as part of a 3-4-1 start to the season.

The Titans got hot as the season went on and are undefeated in their past 10 games and have won their past four straight.

It is the second time a team from West Salem has been in a state championship game. West Salem’s baseball team lost in the 4A state championship game in 2006.

“It is surreal being able to play in the state title game,” said first-year West Salem coach Eddy Soboll, who coached Sprague last year. “It is something we couldn’t have imagined at the beginning of the season.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

State soccer championship games

6A: West Salem vs. Lincoln, 6 p.m. Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium.

4A: Stayton vs. Sisters, 1 p.m. Saturday at Liberty High School.

The South Salem basketball team surrounds Jordan Woodvine, center, after she signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Boise State University, Friday, November 13, 2015, at South Salem High School in Salem, Ore.

Jordan Woodvine smiles before she signs a national letter of intent to play basketball at Boise State University, Friday, November 13, 2015, at South Salem High School in Salem, Ore.

Jordan Woodvine speaks before she signs a national letter of intent to play basketball at Boise State University, Friday, November 13, 2015, at South Salem High School in Salem, Ore.

Jordan Woodvine has the size and ability to play pretty much anywhere on the basketball court.

Friday afternoon the 5-foot-11 guard/forward declared the court that she’ll be playing on in college is at Boise State.

The South Salem High School senior signed a national letter of intent in a signing ceremony in South Salem’s library.

She committed to Boise State not long after winning the 6A state championship with South Salem’s basketball team in March. The Broncos want her to play on the perimeter.

“They’re recruiting me at the 3 position to give me the chance that if I have a mismatch they’ll post me up,” Woodvine said. “It gives me the chance to shoot and drive as well. It’s kind of like a mixture of all positions. That’s where they feel that I will be strong suited, but if it changes I’m willing to work anywhere they want at that school.”

Woodvine is a two-time first-team all-conference selection. She was second-team all-state as a junior after averaging 14.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game and as a sophomore was honorable mention all-state by averaging 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

Woodvine says she is undecided what she will major in at Boise State, but is considering math, design and human health and performance.

She connected with Boise State’s coaching staff from the time of her first contact with them.

“It’s pretty great,” Woodvine said. “It’s a really great program. Ever since they started recruiting me I really wanted to go there, and it was kind of always in the back of my mind. And then I went on my first visit there and I knew that that was my school.

“Signing is just so much stress relief. You know, the next four years of my life are going to be taken care of. It’s just a big relief of stress and happiness. I’m just overwhelmed.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Cascade quarterback John Schirmer (11) passes the ball against Philomath during the quarterfinals of the OSAA Class 4A state playoffs, Friday, November 13, 2015, at Corvallis High School in Corvallis, Ore.

CORVALLIS – Garrett Coffey knows he needs to buy Malachi Gonzalez breakfast because Gonzalez saved Coffey’s bacon Friday night.

With just more than two minutes left and Cascade High School’s football team clinging to a 35-34 lead against Philomath, Coffey fumbled the ball for the first time on his 43rd carry of the night.

Gonzalez, a senior guard and linebacker, recovered it to allow the No. 3-ranked Cougars to run out the clock to upset No. 1-ranked Philomath 35-34 in the quarterfinals of the OSAA Class 4A state playoffs at Corvallis High School.

It was the second fumble recovery in the final 5:34 for Gonzalez as the first one on defense gave the Cougars the ball back and the opportunity to get the go-ahead score at 35-28 on a 2-yard quarterback keeper by John Schirmer.

“He worked his butt off tonight and I’m happy he had my back,” said Coffey, the senior running back.

No. 9 seed Cascade (10-1) avenges its only loss of the season – a 26-14 defeat by Oregon West rival Philomath (8-2) from Sept. 25.

And it advances the Cougars to the Nov. 21 4A state semifinals to play the winner of Saturday’s Mazama vs. Banks game.

“They humbled us when we played them the first time, and our kids didn’t like that,” Cascade coach Steve Turner said. “A bit of a redemption night, I guess. All you got to do is win by one and move on. It doesn’t matter what the score is or how pretty it is. We get to go another week.”

Cascade relied a lot of the broad shoulders of Coffey.

The senior running back rushed for 291 yards and four touchdowns on 44 carries. A week prior against La Grande he carried the ball 55 times.

“He was Garrett Coffey,” Turner said. “We drank a whole pot of Coffey tonight.”

Coffey’s second rushing touchdown put the Cougars up 14-6 with 1:39 left in the first half.

But as was the case most of the night, Cascade would put together a long, clock-consuming drive and Philomath would strike quickly.

Kenan Conner hit Cal Stueve for a 6-yard touchdown pass, and Conner caught a 2-point conversion on a halfback pass by Logan Williams to tie the game at 14 with 11 seconds before halftime.

“I think it was definitely hard, but we needed to realize that they couldn’t stop us on those long, hard drives,” Gonzalez said. “We knew we could gain four yards every play and still put it in. We knew that we were more conditioned than they were. I think there was a little bit of anger, but I think we all knew and we had faith that we could punch it in and put it in the end zone.”

After Williams’ 15-yard touchdown run tied Cascade at 28 with no time remaining in the third quarter, the Cougars went on another long drive, but Schirmer’s pass on fourth-and-5 was incomplete, giving Philomath back the ball with 7:39 on the Warriors’ 22-yard line.

On the fourth play of the drive, however, Conner’s pitch to Williams fell on the turf and Gonzalez recovered it on Philomath’s 30-yard line.

Six plays later Schirmer ran for a 2-yard touchdown and Lucas Bjorklund kicked the PAT for a 35-28 lead with 3:27 left.

It took Philomath’s offense a quick five plays to respond with a 14-yard touchdown run by Williams.

The Warriors went for two, but Conner’s pass was out of the reach of Stueve, and Cascade ran out the clock to win.

“I say just the will to win,” Schirmer said. “We’ve just been preaching that. How bad do you want it? They just finally dug deep, opened up their hearts and finally played like they wanted to.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Cascade defensive back Cameron Molan (8) and linebacker Malachi Gonzalez (56) cause a fumble against Philomath during the quarterfinals of the OSAA Class 4A state playoffs, Friday, November 13, 2015, at Corvallis High School in Corvallis, Ore.

Cascade 35, Philomath 34

CAS

0

14

14

7

— 35

PHI

6

8

15

6

— 34

-First quarter

PHI- John Sommers 50 pass from Kenan Conner (kick fail) 4:53.

-Second quarter

CAS- Garrett Coffey 36 run (Bjorklund kick) 11:28.

CAS- Coffey 5 run (Bjorklund kick) 1:39.

PHI- Cal Stueve 6 pass from Conner (Conner pass from Logan Williams) :11.

-Third quarter

CAS- Coffey 2 run (Bjorklund kick) 7:36.

PHI- Williams 19 run (Williams kick) 6:31.

CAS- Coffey 8 run (Bjorklund kick) 3:25.

PHI- Williams 15 run (Williams kick) :00.

-Fourth quarter

CAS- John Schirmer 2 run (Bjorklund kick) 3:35.

PHI- Williams 14 run (pass fail) 2:11.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: Cascade: Garrett Coffey 44-291-4, Isiah Roniger 4-17, Hunter Thomas 2-21, John Schirmer 2-5-1; Philomath: Logan Williams 8-77-3, Trenton Looper 13-55, Casey Croy 3-29-1, Kenan Conner 5-16.

Passing: Cascade: John Schirmer 6-10-49; Philomath: Kenan Conner 11-14-286-2, Logan Williams 0-1-0.

Receiving: Cascade: Michael Biddington 2-33, Isiah Roniger 2-20, Cameron Molan 1-8, Hunter Thomas 1- -3; Philomath: John Sommers 3-113-1, Logan Williams 3-52, Riley Davis 2-33, Casey Croy 2-12, Cal Stueve 2-78.

Stayton forward Alfredo Navarro (8) looks up from the turf after missing a shot on goal against Sisters during the OSAA Class 4A state championship game, Saturday, November 14, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. Stayton lost 2-1.

HILLSBORO – Momentum disappeared quickly.

Stayton High senior Freddy Navarro scored a goal to tie Sisters 1-1 with 14 minutes left in Saturday’s OSAA Class 4A state championship boys soccer game at Liberty High School to put the Eagles back into the match.

But Sisters had a big response.

Malachy Sundstrom scored off an assist from Colton Mannhalter with 11 minutes left for a 2-1 Sisters lead, and the Outlaws finished out on defense to win the state championship, their second state title in three years.

Stayton (14-1-2) was in the state championship game for the second time in as many years and places second for the second year in a row.

“To get here twice two years in a row, I think it’s pretty special,” Stayton coach Chris Shields said. “I’m happy. To get to this point, any time you get to the semifinal, any time you get to the last four or the last two, it’s just you’re kind of grateful to be wherever you’re at and blessed that we have some good players.

“I wish that we had played with maybe just a little more intensity or a little more heart. It just felt like we were scared. Sometimes the big stage is tough for some. It is a big stage.”

Stayton forward Alfredo Navarro (8) celebrates his game tying goal against Sisters during the OSAA Class 4A state championship game, Saturday, November 14, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. Stayton lost 2-1.

Stayton was in the state championship game for the third time in six years, having previously won the state championship in 2010.

But Sisters (16-0-1) started with more intensity early in Saturday’s match.

The Outlaws constantly kept the ball in the forward third of the field in the first half, won a ton of 50-50 balls in the air and limited Stayton’s offensive possessions.

In the 22nd minute, Mannhalter took the ball through the center defense then beat Stayton goalkeeper Jose Navarro with a shot from 12 yards out for a 1-0 Sisters lead.

“Credit Sisters, they got some speed,” Shields said. “Their players up front, when their opportunity was there, he broke it up and did his thing, and that’s the difference.”

Stayton started the second half strong, pushing the ball forward constantly in the first 20 minutes.

With 14 minutes left, Ivan Navarro fed a pass to Freddy Navarro just past midfield. Freddy Navarro beat two defenders, turned around and scored from 12 yards out with his left foot to tie the match at 1-1.

“That was a great finish the one finish that he had,” Shields said. “That’s typical Navarro type finishing. He scored a bunch of goals this year.”

But Sundstrom’s goal three minutes later proved the difference.

The Eagles had eight shots in the second half, compared to three for the Outlaws.

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Sisters 2, Stayton 1

At Liberty High School, Hillsboro

SIS- Colton Mannhalter 22:00; STA- Freddy Navarro 66:00; SIS- Malachy Sundstrom (Mannhalter) 69:00.

West Salem forward Stuart Aeschliman (9) gets past Lincoln’s Joseph Resnick (14) in the box during the OSAA Class 6A state championship game, Saturday, November 14, 2015, at Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro, Ore.

West Salem goak keeper Marcos Ochoa dives for a ball as it hits off the top bar against Lincoln during the OSAA Class 6A state championship game, Saturday, November 14, 2015, at Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro, Ore.

HILLSBORO – The set pieces were the Titans’ downfall.

West Salem High School’s boys soccer team gave up goals to Lincoln off of a corner kick and a free kick and lost 2-0 Saturday in the OSAA Class 6A state championship match at Hillsboro Stadium.

The Cardinals (17-2-1) had become known for their efficient work off of set pieces throughout the postseason.

“I watched some of their games and playing against them was just like that,” West Salem coach Eddy Soboll said. “We knew that it would be set pieces and that’s why we said we got to get tighter on them, we got to get on top of them.

“It’s not just the first ball on the set piece, it’s the second ball. That’s how they beat McMinnville. A mistake on the first goal, just not good enough. We could be a little bit sharper.”

It was the second meeting of the teams this season, and Lincoln (17-2-1) won 2-0 on Sept. 17.

A West Salem team that started the season 3-4-1 finishes the season 11-5-3 and in second place after its first appearance in the state championship game in program history.

This season was the first time the program moved past the state quarterfinals.

“With four seniors and not having (Rafael Saavera Garcia) in the beginning, not having Stuart (Aeschliman) in the beginning, it was a great season,” Soboll said. “These guys got to keep their heads up. They got to see what they did. They made history at West Salem. Next year we’re going to have seven or eight seniors. It’s going to be a different story.

“We didn’t expect even like to get to playoffs, and we did. It was a great run, great year. It was fantastic.”

Lincoln had several looks off of set pieces in the opening minutes then Carson Graham bent in a corner kick through the hands of West Salem goalkeeper Marcos Ochoa for a 1-0 lead in the third minute.

Twelve minutes into the second half a free kick from Max Rougier from 40 yards away was headed in by Ben Hardy for a 2-0 Lincoln lead.

It was the second time in school history that West Salem had a team in a state championship game, the last being the baseball team losing in the 2006 state championship game.

It also was the first time since 2009 a team from Salem was in the big-school state championship game.

“This is a representation of what CFC is doing for soccer in Salem,” Soboll said. “I don’t think we’re going to have to wait another few years to have a Salem team here in the finals.

“Year after year, it’s just getting better, the soccer in Salem. We’re competing head-to-head with the teams in Portland.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

At Hillsboro Stadium

LIN- Carson Graham (CK) 3:00; LIN- Ben Hardy (Max Rougier) 52:00.

Perrydale’s Brant Barnes (22) chases down Sherman junior Maverick Winslow (34) during their football game on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, in Perrydale, Ore.

The Cascade High football team is back in the state semifinals, but the Cougars want more.

When No. 3 Cascade plays No. 4 Banks at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium in the OSAA Class 4A state semifinal, it will mark the second time in four years the Cougars will have been in the semifinal round.

“I’m happy,” Cascade coach Steve Turner said after Friday’s 35-34 win against Philomath.

The last time Cascade was in a state championship game was 1980.

6A quarterfinals

Of the eight teams remaining in the OSAA Class 6A state quarterfinals, seven of the teams are from the Portland metro area.

Friday night Jesuit hosts Beaverton, West Linn hosts Oregon City, Sherwood hosts Lincoln and Sheldon of Eugene hosts Clackamas in the only game involving team from Portland.

Cascade defensive lineman Gabe Pointer (10) and linebacker Malachi Gonzalez (56) celebrate a defensive stop on a Philomath 2-point conversion that sealed the game during the quarterfinals of the OSAA Class 4A state playoffs, Friday, November 13, 2015, at Corvallis High School in Corvallis, Ore. Cascade won the game 35-34.

Perrydale

The Pirates had to work to get back to the state semifinals.

No. 6 seed Perrydale trailed No. 3 seed Wallowa 30-8 in the third quarter of Saturday’s OSAA Class 1A state quarterfinal game.

The Pirates rallied to tie the game at 36 with 1:20 remaining, but Keenan Bailey returned an interception for a touchdown with 44 seconds left for a 42-36 win.

Perrydale is in the state semifinals for the first time since 2011 and the sixth time in the school’s history.

When Perrydale (10-0) defeated Dufur (9-2) 36-34 in a league game on Sept. 25, it was before Perrydale had gotten back junior running back Haylen Janesofsky, who rushed for two touchdowns against Wallowa.

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Kaelie Flores, from left, Madi Hingston and Cami Decker sign letters of intent during a signing day ceremony at McNary High School in Keizer on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015.

Madi Hingston, Kaelie Flores and Cammie Decker grew up together and have been friends for a long time.

It was appropriate that the McNary High School seniors signed their letters of intent together.

Flores signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Central Washington, Hingston signed to play basketball at Seattle Pacific and Decker signed to play golf at Concordia in a ceremony in McNary’s library Tuesday afternoon.

“They’re a couple of my best friends so I loved doing it,” Decker said.

Hingston, a 5-foot-10 combo guard, was a first-team all-Greater Valley Conference selection as a junior after averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.8 steals per game and was second-team all-conference as a sophomore.

She also was first-team all-conference in volleyball as a junior and second-team as a senior.

Hingston said she intends to major in business at Seattle Pacific.

“I think it has a good balance between basketball and education,” she said. “They have a really good education there with it being a private school, and it’s also a Christian school so I like that, too.

“They’re super competitive basketball-wise. They typically finish pretty high in their league and so that was a really big plus for me, I think.”

Flores was a second-team all-league conference as a junior after averaging 13 points per game and was honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore.

The 6-foot-1 post said that the coaching staff at Central Washington had been recruiting her since she was eighth grade and she liked the campus during her official visit to the school last weekend.

“I really like Ellensburg because it’s like a small town and the community basically supports athletics in Central Washington, which I appreciate a lot because that’s like my community here at McNary,” Flores said.

“It’s all very supportive and I really like the dorms that I was staying at. I like the players a lot. I stayed with a freshman and basically got the full college experience there.”

Decker placed second in the district the past two years and was third as a freshman. At the state tournament she’s placed 21st, 22nd and 34th in her three years of high school.

She never played competitive golf until her freshman year of high school – she played basketball with Flores and Hingston when she was younger – until she came to McNary for her freshman year.

“When I started out I was kind of unsure, but when I started really loving the game I was like this is something I really want to do in college,” Decker said.

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler