Cascade wide receiver Michael Biddington (81) runs after a catch against Philomath 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.
Class 4A playoffs
No. 3 Cascade vs. No. 4 Banks, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Hillsboro Stadium
Another shot: No. 9 seed Cascade (10-1) is in the state semifinals for second time in four years and the eighth time in school history. But the program has only won a state semifinal game one time, that coming in 1980, when the team won its only state championship.
An opportunistic defense: The defense of No. 4 seed Banks (9-1) has thrived on winning the turnover battles this season. The Braves have intercepted 15 passes and recovered 11 fumbles, compared to throwing six interceptions and losing five fumbles.
A challenge for Cascade: The Cougars’ defense has a challenge with Banks’ running game. The Braves average 194 yards rushing per game. Banks senior running back Donny McClean has rushed for 1,394 yards and 23 touchdowns on 176 carries.
Class 3A playoffs
Vale vs. Scio, 11 a.m.
Where: Hermiston High School
Chance to prove itself: No. 1 seed Scio (11-0) has been dominant all season. About half of the games have ended with a rolling clock by leading their opponents by 45 points. But this is different. No. 4 seed Vale (9-1) won the state championship a year ago and has yet to lose to an Oregon team this season. Scio has shown vulnerabilities in the first two rounds of the state playoffs and this game will be a challenge for the Loggers.
Blanchet vs. Santiam Christian, 11 a.m.
Where: Cottage Grove High School
Eagles undefeated against Cavaliers: No. 2 seed Santiam Christian (10-1) has never lost to No. 3 seed Blanchet (10-1). Between 2010 and 2013 the teams were in the PacWest Conference and in their four games Santiam Christian won every time. Both of these teams lost in the state semifinals a year ago.
Kennedy’s Christian Reyes tries to block a pass to Regis’s Sam Nieslanik in a Tri-River Conference game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Mount Angel.
Class 2A playoffs
Stanfield vs. Kennedy, 5 p.m.
Where: Liberty High School, Hillsboro
Upset-minded Stanfield: The No. 9 seed Tigers (10-1) were overlooked for most of the season after a 50-6 loss to Heppner in a Columbia Basin game. Stanfield is officially road tested in the playoffs with a 56-26 win against Vernonia and a 27-26 overtime win against No. 1 seed Central Linn in last week’s quarterfinals behind 224 yards of total offense and four touchdowns by quarterback Dylan Grogan and a defensive stop in overtime. No. 4 seed Kennedy (9-1) has held opponents to a 2A best 12 points per game this season and is coming off a 42-28 win against defending state champion Burns.
Regis vs. Heppner, noon
Where: Liberty High School, Hillsboro
A multi-dimensional threat : No. 2 seed Heppner (11-0) was the state runner-up a year ago and has an offense that has the most prolific offense in Class 2A, scoring 553 points. Kaden Clark has passed for 1,059 yards and 17 touchdowns with one interception, CJ Kindle has rushed for 878 yards and 15 touchdowns and 546 yards and six touchdowns receiving, Tommy Bredfield has rushed for 574 yards and eight touchdowns and Logan Grieb has 429 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. No. 3 seed Regis (8-3) has held opponents to an average of 11.4 points during its current five-game winning streak and has proven adept at stopping offenses that no one else can.
Class 1A playoffs
No. 6 Dufur vs. No. 5 Perrydale, noon
Where: Hillsboro Stadium
Perennial state powers: No one doubts that these teams may have been seeded low in the state playoffs – Perrydale is a No. 6 seed and Dufur is a No. 7 seed – but they are both among the elite eight-man football programs in the state. Dufur has won six state championships under coach Jack Henderson, the most recent coming in 2006. Perrydale has been in the state championship game four times since 2002, including winning a state championship in 2004.