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Grizzlies swat stubborn Sunset By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN EUGENE -- The Ashland Grizzlies aren't accustomed to being behind in the fourth quarter. It hadn't happened since the first game of the season before Ashland found itself in that rare circumstance Saturday night at Autzen Stadium. The Grizzlies didn't like the feeling of trailing. But in keeping with their season-long tradition and determination to keep on winning, they found a way -- again. Quarterback Jimmy Werbin's 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jay Keuster with 8:41 to play carried No. 4-ranked Ashland to a 24-19 win over upset-minded Sunset in the Class 4A state football quarterfinals. Ashland (11-0) meets Jesuit Saturday in the semifinals. Oregon School Activities Association Director Wes Ediger said the game will probably be played at 3 p.m. at Autzen Stadium with Roseburg and Tualatin perhaps meeting there as well. Werbin, who completed 10 of 22 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown, but threw three interceptions, said the Grizzlies shared the feeling, they would win, even when they squandered a 17-0 lead to fall behind 19-17 with 1:20 left in the third quarter. "I knew that if I did my job, and my teammates did their jobs, we could win," said Werbin, who threw three straight interceptions in the second quarter. "They (the Apollos) were getting a lot of pressure on me, and I forced a couple (throws) ." But with the game and the season on the line in the final period, Werbin coolly engineered Ashland's game-winning 67-yard drive in 10 plays. "We were pretty confident in the huddle," said Werbin, who completed three of four passes during the drive, including the game-winner to Keuster. Keuseter, who caught 6 passes for 117 yards, said he ran 10 yards beyond Sunset cornerback Bobby Walsh on the game-winning play. But he had to come back for the ball, which was underthrown by Werbin. "He (Walsh) came back and tipped it," said Keuster. "Fortuntatlely, I kept my eyes on it and it came toward me. "I got a huge block from Gabe Stephens, and that cleared the way," said Keuster. "All I had to do from there was get it in the end zone." After Keuster's touchdown, Ashland's defense had to fend off Sunset two more times to preserve the win. Sunset drove from its own 17-yard line to the Ashland 26, where Grizzlies' linebacker Joel Smith stuffed Walsh, a quarterback and running back, for no gain on fourth down. Ashland sacked Sunset quarterback Steve Eney twice during the Apollos' final desperation drive, which started with 1:07 on the clock at the Sunset 33. "Different guus have stepped up every time we have needed them," said Ashland coach Jim Nagel. "Tonight, it was Jay and it's been him before. "When we needed our defense to come through at the end, it did. Our motto has been to find a way all year. We did it again." Ashland jumped to a 17-0 lead in its first three possessions of the game. The Grizzlies drove 68 yards in seven plays and scored on a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Kris Pavilionis for a 7-0 lead. Sean Schorovsky kicked a 35-yard field goal with 3:04 left in the the first quarter for a 10-0 lead. Ashland defensive end Tyson George recovered a fumble by Smith in the Sunset end zone for the Grizzlies' second touchdown with five seconds left in the first quarter. After Schorovsky's successful conversion kick, Ashland had a 17-0 lead entering the second period. The Apollos of coach Floyd Halvorsen Jr. started to move the ball with some consistency in the second quarter. It paid off with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Eney to Chris Fromhart, as Ashland's lead was reduced to 17-7 at halftime. Sunset used a 52-yard reverse scamper by Walsh to score its second touchdown with 7:56 left in the third quarter. Ashland blocked the conversion kick, leaving the score at 17-13. The Apollos took the lead 19-17 when they drove 55 yards in 10 plays and scored on a 1-yard run by Nick Kaiel with 1:20 left in the third period. Ashland immediately responded with its 10-play drive to the game-winning touchdown by Keuster. Ashland was limited to 127 yards rushing but Werbin chipped in 213 yards of passing to keep the Grizz moving and scoring enough to win. Smith and Austin Mason both caught two passes for Ashland to back up the six-catch game by Keuster. Pavilonis led Ashland in rusihg with 86 yards on 11 carries, and Smith rushed for 50 yards on 12 carries. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford,