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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Hot Topics Forum Photo Gallery Past Readers Polls Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Online Games Movie Preview October 21, 2006 K. Falls takes win over Grizzlies By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tiding KLAMATH FALLS — Four years after losing to Ashland on a last-second hail mary, Klamath Union found itself in virtually the same position — clinging to a slim lead with the clock winding down. This time, the Pelicans cashed in. Mark Brooks scored on a 45-yard touchdown reception with 7 minutes, 13 seconds to go and the Pelicans thwarted three desperation heaves by Gus Gaviglio in the final 24 seconds, as Klamath Union held on for a wild 28-24 Southern Sky Conference win Friday night at Modoc Field. The loss virtually eliminates the Grizzlies (3-5, 1-2 SSC) from playoff contention, while the Pelicans (2-0 SSC) stayed alive in the race for the first-ever SSC title. "There were two teams that really wanted to win badly and they found a way to win, and that's really the bottom line," Ashland coach Charlie Hall said. In a back-and-forth battle that saw the lead change hands three times in the last 16 minutes, it was the Pelicans that came up with the last big play. Facing a fourth-and-nine from Ashland's 45-yard line, KU quarterback Torrey Snyder hit a streaking Brooks with a perfect pass down the right sideline and the junior wideout, who finished with 155 yards and two touchdowns on just five catches, sprinted to the end zone untouched. After the ball changed possession twice, Ashland got it back at its own 22 with 2:19 to go. The Grizzlies didn't go down easy. Gaviglio led the Grizzlies 46 yards on nine plays, converting two fourth downs in the process, to give Ashland a first-and-10 at the Klamath Union 32 with 13 seconds left. The Pels held strong, however, knocking down Gaviglio's next pass before his final desperation throw was picked off at the goal line by Aaron Foster. "It's hard to put yourself in that situation," Hall said, "but I was proud of how they came back in the game and found a way to get a lead." It was the first turnover of the game for Ashland, which was outgained 351 yards to 293. Justin Meza led Ashland with 147 rushing yards, including a 40-yard TD -Ashland's last of the game - in the third quarter. Sam Gaviglio, who was defended well by Foster on the final pass, had nine catches for 109 yards. Klamath Union used its superior speed to score the game's first 14 points, racking up 163 yards in the first quarter. Ashland bounced back with 14 straight points of its own in the second quarter - the first on Gaviglio's six-yard pass to Charlie Sebrell, and the second on Matt Dierks 45-yard interception return. Sheldon Cotts' 35-yard field goal gave the Grizzlies their first lead of the game, 17-14, with 7:13 to go in the third. Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.