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ENLARGE
Sutherlin quarterback Chris Mock (3) prepares to take a snap from center Randy Black (57) during a game against Cascade Christian earlier this season. The unranked Bulldogs host No. 6 Ontario on Saturday.
SUTHERLIN — Much has changed since the Sutherlin and Ontario football teams met in the 2007 Class 4A state quarterfinals.
The Bulldogs went through a rebuilding year installing a new offense and watched the playoffs from home after their most successful postseason run ever. Ontario lost head coach Randy Waite and had an early exit from the playoffs.
Now, with Sutherlin back on a winning streak and Waite back at the helm at Ontario, the teams meet again in the quarterfinals at 1 p.m. Saturday at Sutherlin High.
One similarity between 2007 and 2009 is that the Bulldogs (5-5) will be underdogs to the No. 6-ranked Tigers (9-1) despite playing at home.
“Ontario is very similar schematically,” Sutherlin coach Josh Gary said. “They had a ton of talent that year and they still have some very good kids. They've had a great year and we're definitely not overlooking them.”
Much like 2007, Sutherlin used road wins to get to the round of eight.
The Bulldogs upset Scappoose and La Salle that year before falling to Ontario 55-7. They earned a rematch Saturday with a 37-6 win at Henley last Friday.
Sutherlin's high-powered Wing-T offense produced 3,248 rushing yards this season, including 407 against Henley. That formation will be new to Ontario, which counters with its fly sweep.
“It's a very similar misdirection-based option to what we do,” Gary said. “Their's is based more on speed and getting to the edge, but they still have that inside fake and pass fake.”
Slowing down Ontario star Frank Lopez will be crucial for the Bulldogs. Lopez leads the 4A ranks with 1,532 yards, and averages 170 yards a game. Running backs Matt Anthony (439 yards) and R.J. Gonzales (260) and sweeper Jordan Lang (253) are other top ball carriers.
Sutherlin counters with an impressive stable of running backs. Brian Andry leads the team with 1,325 rushing yards, including 175 against Henley. Nick Bradley has 874 yards and has shined when defenses key on Andry and Kyle Jaukkuri has been steady throughout the season at
fullback, topping 700 yards for the season.
“If you like football and the different styles people run, then it should be fun to watch,” said Waite, who was an assistant coach with Roseburg last season and has been head coach at Ontario for six total years.
The Tigers' offensive line is led by senior guards Sam Villalobos (5-foot-10, 235 pounds) and Marcus Marines (5-11, 235) and senior tackle Seth Johnson (6-0, 240). Defensively, Ontario runs out of a 3-5-3 formation.
The Tigers haven't tasted defeat since a 15-7 overtime loss to Class 5A Pendleton in the season opener. Ontario then rattled off nine straight wins, outscoring opponents 390-181. That streak included wins over Idaho playoff teams Weiser, Lakeland and American Falls and No. 8 Baker in a 28-20 game that decided the Greater Oregon League title.
Ontario won a 55-42 shootout with No. 5 Banks last Friday in the second round of the playoffs. The Tigers led 41-14 in the third quarter before weathering a furious comeback.
“We have to play physical and have to be able to make Sutherlin punt the ball, which they don't like to do,” Waite said. “The game will be dictated on whether we can get some stops.”
Sutherlin matched its best playoff finish in school history by making the quarterfinals, but aren't satisfied.
“The last time we played a big football game in the playoffs we got crushed,” Gary said. “There is a lot of motivation on this team and personally.”
• You can reach sports reporter Rob McCallum at 957-4221 or by e-mail at rmccallum@nrtoday.com
The Bulldogs went through a rebuilding year installing a new offense and watched the playoffs from home after their most successful postseason run ever. Ontario lost head coach Randy Waite and had an early exit from the playoffs.
Now, with Sutherlin back on a winning streak and Waite back at the helm at Ontario, the teams meet again in the quarterfinals at 1 p.m. Saturday at Sutherlin High.
One similarity between 2007 and 2009 is that the Bulldogs (5-5) will be underdogs to the No. 6-ranked Tigers (9-1) despite playing at home.
“Ontario is very similar schematically,” Sutherlin coach Josh Gary said. “They had a ton of talent that year and they still have some very good kids. They've had a great year and we're definitely not overlooking them.”
Much like 2007, Sutherlin used road wins to get to the round of eight.
The Bulldogs upset Scappoose and La Salle that year before falling to Ontario 55-7. They earned a rematch Saturday with a 37-6 win at Henley last Friday.
Sutherlin's high-powered Wing-T offense produced 3,248 rushing yards this season, including 407 against Henley. That formation will be new to Ontario, which counters with its fly sweep.
“It's a very similar misdirection-based option to what we do,” Gary said. “Their's is based more on speed and getting to the edge, but they still have that inside fake and pass fake.”
Slowing down Ontario star Frank Lopez will be crucial for the Bulldogs. Lopez leads the 4A ranks with 1,532 yards, and averages 170 yards a game. Running backs Matt Anthony (439 yards) and R.J. Gonzales (260) and sweeper Jordan Lang (253) are other top ball carriers.
Sutherlin counters with an impressive stable of running backs. Brian Andry leads the team with 1,325 rushing yards, including 175 against Henley. Nick Bradley has 874 yards and has shined when defenses key on Andry and Kyle Jaukkuri has been steady throughout the season at
fullback, topping 700 yards for the season.
“If you like football and the different styles people run, then it should be fun to watch,” said Waite, who was an assistant coach with Roseburg last season and has been head coach at Ontario for six total years.
The Tigers' offensive line is led by senior guards Sam Villalobos (5-foot-10, 235 pounds) and Marcus Marines (5-11, 235) and senior tackle Seth Johnson (6-0, 240). Defensively, Ontario runs out of a 3-5-3 formation.
The Tigers haven't tasted defeat since a 15-7 overtime loss to Class 5A Pendleton in the season opener. Ontario then rattled off nine straight wins, outscoring opponents 390-181. That streak included wins over Idaho playoff teams Weiser, Lakeland and American Falls and No. 8 Baker in a 28-20 game that decided the Greater Oregon League title.
Ontario won a 55-42 shootout with No. 5 Banks last Friday in the second round of the playoffs. The Tigers led 41-14 in the third quarter before weathering a furious comeback.
“We have to play physical and have to be able to make Sutherlin punt the ball, which they don't like to do,” Waite said. “The game will be dictated on whether we can get some stops.”
Sutherlin matched its best playoff finish in school history by making the quarterfinals, but aren't satisfied.
“The last time we played a big football game in the playoffs we got crushed,” Gary said. “There is a lot of motivation on this team and personally.”
• You can reach sports reporter Rob McCallum at 957-4221 or by e-mail at rmccallum@nrtoday.com
