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37 °F 5 Day Forecast Monday, December 8, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend November 29, 2003 North Medford running back Rob Folsom (7) finds a hole in the Canby defense during the second half of Friday�s Class 4A semifinal game. Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer/for the Mail Tribune The Tornado returns Strong defense and key turnovers help North Medford reachthe 4A state title game By TIM PYLE Mail Tribune PORTLAND — One quarter away from either the end of the season or the state-championship game, the North Medford football team grabbed fate by the shoulder pads and didn’t let go. The Black Tornado outscored No. 1-ranked Canby 13-0 in the fourth quarter to earn a 26-14 victory in the Class 4A semifinals Friday night at PGE Park. North now plays for its first state title since 1993 next Saturday when it tangles with Tigard, a 12-0 winner over Clackamas in the other semifinal. Game time is 4:15 p.m. at Eugene’s Autzen Stadium. "They just don’t get rattled by being behind and facing good football teams," said third-year head coach John Beck, who has the Tornado in its first final since 2000, when it suffered a 38-28 loss to Jesuit. "I think the offseason really prepared us — playing at Jesuit, playing against Lake Oswego, some great quality programs. And then playing a really tough Canby team and finding a way to get the job done. They just don’t get rattled." Advertisement In the decisive fourth quarter, the offense put North (12-1) on top, then the defense sealed it in front of 10,271 fans in rain-soaked Portland. On a 10-play, 72-yard drive to take the lead for good, the Tornado relied on the combination of senior quarterback Beau Hovland and senior wide receiver Trent Driskell. Three times Hovland connected with Driskell on third-down plays, capped a 13-yard touchdown toss with 9:34 remaining. Previously, Driskell had outjumped Canby senior defensive back Sam Doman for a 43-yard gain down the right sideline on third-and-13, then slid to secure an 18-yard pickup to the Cougars’ 17-yard line. "Coach (David) Douglas saw that I was quicker than that guy, so he just wanted to isolate me and run some deep routes for me," said Driskell, who had one catch for a loss of two prior to his three receptions for 74 yards on the drive. "I just got open, and Beau made some nice throws and I came down with them." Driskell’s TD catch came on a fade pattern and gave the Tornado a 19-14 lead. Senior tailback Rob Folsom was stuffed trying to run in for the 2-point conversion. Just 49 seconds later, North’s grip got tighter. Senior running back Brett Allee fumbled at the tail end of a 6-yard gain on second-and-eight, and Tornado senior linebacker Russ Vandell scooped up the loose ball and scooted 24 yards to the end zone. Junior Nick Taylor booted the extra point to make it 26-14 with 8:45 on the clock. Hovland, a corner back on defense, and senior senior safety Jordan Spence ensured Canby (12-1) would not come back by making interceptions in Tornado territory. North’s defense, which came in allowing 14.3 points per game, created five turnovers. "We just played fundamental football, and we just brought the better defense," said senior lineman David Faaeteete. "We expected our defense to come out and play big. In the second half, we just came out and dominated on defense. They couldn’t move the ball, and when they tried to, it caused turnovers." The Cougars enjoyed early offensive success, moving 42 yards on their first series and marching 75 on the second. The first series, however, was killed by Folsom’s interception of a screen pass and ensuing 73-yard return through three potential tacklers for a touchdown at 8:25 of the first quarter. On its second possession, Canby cashed in with a 3-yard keeper by Doman at the 4:18 mark to tie it at 7-all. The Tornado regained the lead on Hovland’s 4-yard keeper to cap a 12-play, 60-yard drive. Following Taylor’s missed extra point after a high snap, it was 13-7 with 4:04 to play in the first half. The Cougars took advantage of North’s only turnover late in the half. Senior return man Sammy McHenry botched a booming punt off the foot of senior Joe Seifert, and senior Steve Schantin recoverd for Canby at the Tornado six-yard line. Two plays later, senior wingback Kenny Scharmota took an option pitch seven yards for the score with 40 seconds left. Allee’s PAT boosted the Cougars to a 14-13 halftime edge. The defenses dominated the majority of the third quarter, until North — led by the Hovland-to-Driskell hookup — began the drive that would prove the game’s turning point. "He really wasn’t open, but he’s always telling me, ‘I hate you when you don’t throw the ball to me. Let me go get it,’" said Hovland of the 43-yard bomb to Driskell that got the Tornado offense going. "I said, ‘All right. I’m just gonna throw it up.’ And he went and got it." Of the 18-yard connection on third-and-13, Hovland said, "That was really huge. It’s just an easy post-corner, and the defense was out there, so I just threw it where only he could get it. Whaddya know — he went and got it." Hovland finished 10-of-19 for 125 yards and also gained 87 yards on 12 rushes. Folsom added 45 yards on 18 carries for North, which outgained Canby, 243-225. After completing his initial two throws, Doman ended up 2 for 12 for 28 yards and was intercepted three times. "It was there for the taking — we just needed to play cleaner, and we knew it," Doman said. "We felt we could move the ball, but every time that they scored was on a fumble or one of our picks. It came down to turnovers and mental mistakes." The Tornado now takes its 10-game winning streak into Autzen to face the Tigers (12-1), whose only loss was a 22-7 defeat to the Cougars in Pacific-9 Conference play. North knows its job isn’t done — but Friday night’s fourth quarter was an enormous step. "I think it’s probably the most physically talented team (I’ve coached) — that’s for sure," Beck said. "But they just have a way, if you present a challenge in front of them, they have a way (of conquering it). That’s what they need. They need a challenge to motivate ‘em. And sometimes it’s a creative business coming up with them, but I tell you what, they can’t be any more motivated than they’ll be next week." North Medford 26, Canby 14 At PGE Park North Medford 7 6 0 13 — 26 Canby 7 7 0 0 — 14 NM — Folsom 73 pass interception (Taylor kick) Can — Sa. Doman 3 run (Allee kick) NM — Hovland 4 run (kick failed) Can — Schannota 6 run (Allee kick) NM — Driskell 13 pass from Hovland (run failed) NM — Vandell 24 fumble return (Taylor kick) TEAM STATISTICS NM Can First Downs 10 13 Rushes-yards 36-120 43-186 Passing yards 127 28 Comp-Att-Int 10-19-0 2-12-3 Total yards 247 214 Punts 3-33.3 2-42.5 Fumbles-lost 1-1 2-2 Penalties-yards 9-67 3-28 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING North Medford — Folsom 18-40, Brown 2-2, Hovland 16-78. Canby — Lever 8-54, Allee 8-38, Sa. Doman 10-18, Sh. Doman 7-35, Schannota 8-24, Zepeda 2-17. PASSING North Medford — Hovland 10-19-0, 127. Canby — Sa. Doman 2-12-3, 28. RECEIVING North Medford — Driskell 4-71, Running 1-8, Weisz 3-13, Folsom 2-35. Canby — Schannota 2-28. Reach reporter Tim Pyle at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. 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