West Albany is this week's Oregon Team of the Week presented by the Oregon National Guard.
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Revenge often gets overplayed in high school football. But that probably was not the case here.
West Albany didn't just avenge one loss, but two from last season, including a season-ending defeat on the road in the playoffs.
But
on Friday, behind a ball-control offense and a rugged, sound defense,
the Bulldogs defeated previously-unbeaten and visiting Silverton 13-0 to
not only move into sole possession of first place in the
Mid-Williamette Conference, but also earn the MaxPreps Oregon
Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.
"It was a big win for us," said head coach Randy Nyquist. "They are a
quality football team so we knew that they would challenge us and if we
wanted to accomplish some of our goals, like trying to win a conference
championship, we knew we would need to win that game."
Jake LaCoste had 36 of his team's 42 carries times and amassed 159 yards and both
touchdowns as West Albany improved to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in league
play. Silverton, which had scored 170 points coming into the game,
dropped to 4-1 and 2-1.
LaCoste scored on a pair of first-half 3-yard runs and then let his defense do the rest, especially senior lineman
Alex Boyd,
who recorded five of his team's nine sacks. West Albany limited
Silverton to just 172 total yards, including 26 on the ground.
It
was a far cry from last season when Silverton won 28-21 in the regular
season before a 35-6 defeat in the state 5A quarterfinals.
"We had a very good week of preparation and our game plan was very
sound," said Nyquist. "On Friday night our kids executed — they had their eyes where they
needed to have them, they ran the ball well, they finished plays and
made tackles. They played with a lot of enthusiasm and that's one of the
main things we talked about leading up to the game."
LaCoste not only ran the ball, but he set up his second touchdown with a 47-yard completion to
Andrew Ketelson on a halfback option pass.
Nyquist has built a dynasty that included
back-to-back 14-0 seasons and state titles in 2007 and 2008. Since 2006,
the Bulldogs are 75-13.
For the season LaCoste has 721 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Quarterback
Cody Lahoda has passed for 249 yards and two scores and Ketelson has 16 of his team's 22 receptions for 242 yards and a touchdown.
Friday was the team's third shutout this season and they've outscored opponents 116-76. They play at
South Albany (Albany) (2-3) on Friday.
"There are lots of lessons to be taught on a football field and I
want to be able to take advantage of those teachable moments," said Nyquist. "I think
that if we do all the little things right and focus on improving each
week and becoming a better football team, it is my experience that a
state championship kind of takes care of itself.
"I will be proud of my
kids no matter what. I know each week they will continue to give a huge
effort."
Do you know a team that deserves
consideration for Oregon Team of the Week? Email us with your
nominations at ORteamoftheweek@maxpreps.com.
