By Mark Gilman
MaxPreps.com
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November rain is nothing new in Oregon, but the heavy downpour that greeted teams in the first round of the OSAA 6A playoffs made for tough playing conditions that resulted in several upsets.
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Fourth-ranked Lincoln (Portland) was the highest ranked team to be eliminated, falling 21-14 to Tualatin in triple overtime. The steady rain forced the normally pass-happy Cardinals to go to the ground against Tualatin. Lincoln's first quarter touchdown looked like it might be enough for the win, but the visiting Timberwolves scored with just seven minutes left to force overtime.
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Both teams failed to score in their first Kansas Plan overtime session, then both added touchdowns.
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After scoring in the third overtime, the Timberwolves stopped Lincoln just short of the goal line after two consecutive quarterback sneaks.
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Southwest Conference powers Roseburg and Grants Pass-both ranked eighth in the last Associated Press poll-also were eliminated.
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Roseburg was toppled by Southridge of Beaverton, 20-14, in overtime. Kevin Coleman's two yard touchdown run in the overtime gave the visiting Skyhawks the victory.
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Grants Pass, playing without their all-time leading rusher Craig Dolmage due to a broken collarbone, was no match for West Salem. The host Titans held the Cavemen to just 26 yards in total offense in the first half. Long second-half touchdown runs by Mike Baker (65 yards) and Brady Johnson (68 yards) gave West its first state playoff victory in the school's five-year history.
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Second-ranked Grant also struggled to a win against sub-500 Reynolds of Troutdale.ÿ Penalties and mishandled snaps in the heavy rain limited the Generals to just one touchdown, but they made it stand up by blocking an extra point by the visiting Raiders following their touchdown with less than seven minutes left, eeking out the 7-6 win.ÿ Grant will host West Salem next week.
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Other 6A Playoff Scores:
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Barlow 30, Lakeridge 6
Beaverton 38, West Linn 28
Canby 22, Centennial 6
Clackamas 15, Reynolds 14
Redmond 42, Franklin 0
Sheldon 38, McKay 7
South Eugene 28, David Douglas 14
Westview 26, McMinnville 24
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Of note: Oregon lost its all-time winningest football coach this week after complications from cancer surgery. 71-year old Dayton coach Dewey Sullivan won 352 games and five state titles as coach of the Pirates. Dayton remembered their coach fondly in their Saturday 3A playoff game, beating Grant Union 27-6.
