Perfect season comes to an end for Clatskanie football

For the team's first 10 games, including its postseason opener, the Clatskanie Tigers varsity football team had never been on the losing side. The Tigers had trailed at a couple of points throughout the year but never when the fourth-quarter clock showed "all zeros." Playing on a neutral field against defending state champion St. Paul, Clatskanie matched the Buckaroos first-quarter touchdown with one of their own in the second. Sophomore quarterback Will Van Voorst connected with junior wide receiver Michael Simpson for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Later in the second quarter, St. Paul would both take and extend its lead courtesy of two rushing touchdowns to make the score 22-8.

In the second half, a 47-yard touchdown pass from Van Voorst and successful two-point conversion attempt by senior Ayden Blackshire brought the game to a one-possession differential with the score at 22-16. Clatskanie stayed within striking distance until a 15-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown gave the Buckaroos a two-possession lead they would only extend by another eight points before game's end.

"For the game Friday night, I thought we played really well overall against a high-quality team," said Head coach Sean Gorley. "We moved the ball well, made stands at times on defense when we needed to; but, in the end, having three turnovers inside their 30 yard line made the difference. [You] just can't turn the ball over against a really good team like St. Paul." Gorley noted his boys matched St. Paul's physicality and intensity. "The score really doesn't tell the story because they got a late score when we had to go for it on our own 20 because we were running out of time," said Gorley. "In the fourth quarter, it was 22-16 when we missed a couple of opportunities to tie it up."

The Tigers were led through the air by Van Voorst, who threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Lucas Andreasen, playing in his final game as a Tiger, led the team in rushing yards with 92. Also playing in his final game with Clatskanie, senior wide receiver Daylon Gutierrez led the team with six receptions for 57 yards. Senior Russ Carver led the team defensively with eight tackles, four assists, and a tackle for a loss. The turnover differential proved to be a major contributing factor to the team's first and only loss of its season, as Clatskanie forced zero while St. Paul forced three: two forced fumbles and an interception.

Last week, during the all-league meeting, accolades were announced, and the Tigers were definitely a presence. Winning offensive player of the year was Andreasen, and winning defensive player of the year was Ayden Blackshire. Sophomore Sam Belgrade won lineman of the year and, finally, Gorley received top honors with coach of the year.

"For the season, I feel we obviously had a great showing," said Gorley. "The kids did an amazing job of reaching for their potential. This is definitely not one of those teams that under-achieved. I believe we stretched our talent about as far as we could get it, and that's a credit to the kids. I don't feel you can ask for much more than to be in a game with the defending state champions and have your opportunities to win. [I'm] super proud of the boys for sure for the way that they played fearlessly."