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Westview rallies to nip feisty Tornado BY RANDY HAMMERICKSEN HILLSBORO -- Eighth-ranked Westview needed all of its offensive weapons to fend off a gallant North Medford football team Friday night. The Wildcats fell behind the explosive Black Tornado 15-0 early in the second quarter, but rallied with an impressive display of running and passing in the final three quarters to edge North, 34-28, at Hare Field in the opening round of the Class 4A state playoffs. North Medford finished its season at 6-4, while Westview (9-1) moves on to the second round against Tualatin, a 35-6 winner over Barlow. "We used just about everything we had," said a drained North Medford coach Rod Rumrey, after the Black Tornado -- known for its power running game -- flashed more than a little razzle-dazzle on offense at Westview and dominated much of the first half. "There aren't many plays we could have used that we didn't use," said Rumrey. "I knew our kids would play their best game tonight, I could feel it. I was right." North Medford totaled 322 yards compared to 371 by the potent Wildcats. Four North Medford players completed passes, including halfbacks Jim Pickrel and Phil Ouellette and wide receiver Tate Mellbye, as Rumrey pulled out the stops. In the end, all the offense wasn't enough. The Wildcats broke the hearts of the Black Tornado in the final minute when they scored on a 1-yard run by tailback Chris Fruge to climax a 61-yard drive in the final 4 minutes. The big play of the drive was a 29-yard sweep around left end by tailback Steve Clayton to the North 25. Quarterback Casey Kelly completed a 13-yard pass to Heykel Aouriri to the North 1, setting up the game-winning touchdown. "We wouldn't give up," said Clayton. "We got down early but we knew we could come back." Clayton rushed for 213 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. To complement Clayton's quickness and strength as a running back, Kelly completed 7 of 16 passes for 123 yards and two TDs. "The main thing is they can run the ball and throw it and they have great speed," Rumrey said. "I thought Marshfield was fast until I saw these guys. "Ashland is better up front, but Westview is faster. But our kids hung in there and they played as hard as they could on every down. "I'm proud of them. It's hard to lose like this when you just played your best game." Westview, which trailed 22-14 at halftime, rallied to take a 28-22 lead late in the third quarter on a 1-yard run by Kelly. The key play of the drive was a 36-yard burst by Clayton around left end. "I had some room to run in the third quarter, but then they (the Black Tornado) shut it down again," said Clayton. "They made some good adjustments and they played hard. They are a good team, and it's a shame they don't get to play any more." North linebacker Jason Brownell agreed. "It's kind of a letdown because we were about ready to start playing our best,' said Brownell. "And now it's over. "We didn't get off their blocks very well, and that hurt us at times," said Brownell, of the North defense. "But we adjusted and started getting to them faster." Westview tied the game at 22-22 when it drove 63 yards for a touchdown on the opening series of the second half. Clayton ripped off runs of 12, 16 and 9 yards during the drive and scored the touchdown on a 1-yard blast off right tackle. The Wildcats went up 28-22 on Kelly's 1-yard keeper that was set up by Clayton's 36-yard gallop to the North 3-yard line. Trailing 38-32, North used a 35-yard halfback pass from sophomore Ouelette to quarterback Nate Mayben and a double-reverse run by Ouellette for 12 yards to the Westview 7-yard line. Mayben passed five yards to tight end Brent Johnson for the touchdown with 8:18 left in the game to tie the score at 28. Kelly Brown's conversion attempt sailed wide right. Both teams failed to gain a first down on their next possessions, setting up Westview's game-winning 61-yard touchdown drive. Sparked by completions by Mayben of 13 and 12 yards to Halpin, North drove to the Westview 36- yard line in the final minute before running out of time. Clayton sealed the win for Westview with an interception in the end zone on the final play of the game. "I'm glad to get out of here with the win," said Clayton. "I was just going to knock that ball away, but I decided to go for the interception so I could run out the clock. "Give North Medford credit. They are a very good team. We didn't play as well as we can, but they had something to do with that. I'm just glad to survive and keep playing." Tailback Steve DeClerck led North with 89 yards rushing on 13 carries and Halpin gained 46 yards on 12 runs. North took an 8-0 lead with 6:24 left in the first quarter on a 1-yard touchdown sneak by Mayben. A North recovery of a fumble by Aquoriri set up the 31-yard drive. After a personal foul call against Westview, Rumrey opted to go for a two-point conversion and Mayben ran it in. The Black Tornado took a 15-0 lead on a 22-yard screen pass from Mayben to Halpin. Brown added the conversion kick with 11:07 left in the second quarter. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford,