Corvallis falls to 2-5

By the Gazette-Times

SALEM — Corvallis High struggled to find consistency on both sides of the ball Friday night and dropped a 27-8 Valley League decision to South Salem.

The Spartans, who have had a hard time all season with consistency, trailed 27-0 in the fourth quarter before Jon Strowbridge was able to cap off a drive with a 4-yard run. Jason Tacchini connected with Cory Dickson for the two-point conversion for the final margin.

"I don't think we played exceptionally well on either side of the ball," CHS coach Chris McGowan said. "We were off-balanced a lot. We couldn't get any consistency. They (South Salem) did a good job keeping us off-balanced with the short pass and then they stretched us vertically and then back to a run."

South Salem led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter on a 4-yard run by Dan Kierce. Dan Sweisteris had two runs in the second quarter that resulted in touchdowns as the Saxons (4-3) pushed the lead to 21-0 at the half. The first run was from four yards out before capping the first-half scoring from 12 yards out.

After a scoreless third quarter, South Salem's Joe August found Jordan Bousquet from 24 yards out and a 27-0 lead.

"They did control the ball with some short passes and then were able to run the ball," McGowan said. "They executed real well."

Tacchini finished 10-for-25 with 105 yards and two interceptions. Billy Clontz and Dickson each had three catches while Strowbridge led the ground game with 32 yards on nine carries.

Brad Hendrix came away with his fifth interception of the season for the Spartans, who fall to 2-5 and travel to No. 3 and defending state champion McNary next Friday night. CHS closes out the season at home against Crescent Valley on Nov. 1.

South Salem 27, Corvallis 8

CORVALLIS 0 0 0 8 — 8

SOUTH SALEM 7 14 0 6 — 27

First quarter

SS — Dan Kierce 4 run (Mark Wade kick)

Second quarter

SS — Dan Sweisteris 4 run (Wade kick)

SS — Dan Sweisteris 12 run (Wade kick)

Fourth quarter

SS — Jordan Bousquet 24 pass from Joe August (kick failed)

CHS — Jon Strowbridge 4 run (Tacchini to Dickson)

Rushing: CHS, Strowbridge 9-32, Emmons 5-21, Graves 4-22

Passing: CHS, Tacchini 10-25-2 105

Receiving: CHS, Clontz 3-28, Dickson 3-23, McKimmie 2-8, Emmons 1-28, Jarren Simmons 1-18