By Mark Gilman
MaxPreps.com
It was almost anti-climatic. The Jesuit Crusaders, a top 25 team nationally, and defending state champions, made sure their legacy remained in tact.
Running back Paul Weatheroy rushed for 292 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Crusaders to a resounding 56-7 win over league rival Southridge in the OSAA 6A football championship game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene - the third game of a triple header.
The victory gave Jesuit its fifth football title, and made the team the first since 1995-96 to win back-to-back crowns at the state's highest classification. The victory was the most lopsided championship match up since 1985.
Weatheroy finished the playoffs with a state record 16 touchdowns. The Crusaders came into the game ranked No. 16 by USA Today.
5A: Corvallis 17, West Albany 14 (3 Overtimes)
Underdog Corvallis rallied to tie the 5A championship game with just over two minutes left, and then won on a 29-yard field goal by Wade Penner in the third Kansas plan overtime to post the 17-14 upset victory over No. 1 West Albany.
After a scoreless first half, West Albany took a 14-0 lead in the third quarter on a pair of touchdown runs by quarterback Jake Haberly.
But Corvallis rallied, scoring at the start of the fourth quarter when quarterback Drew Hubel hit Shane Durando with a 16-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 14-7. With about two minutes left, Corvallis wide receiver Jordan Fred got behind the Bulldog secondary for a 75-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 14, and the two teams went to extra periods, where Penner's winning kick came in the third overtime session.
Corvallis and West Albany are located less than 15 miles apart and have been conference rivals for decades, playing 105 games in that time. West Albany beat Corvallis earlier this season, 31-8.
4A: Siuslaw 21, Sisters 14
The 4A championship game between top-ranked Sisters and No. 2 Siuslaw was as good as advertised.
The teams battled to a 14-14 tie in regulation, forcing them to go to just the second championship overtime game in Oregon history.
Siuslaw went on offense first in overtime, and the Vikings' Kody Thrall punched it into the end zone on a one-yard run, then kicked the extra point to give his team the advantage.
The Siuslaw defense then stymied the Outlaws' offense, stuffing Sisters star running back Cory McCaffrey for a loss on fourth down and one to end the game. Siuslaw held Sisters 30 points under its season scoring average.
