Warriors able to stop Stayton on a two-point conversion try late

By Raju Woodward

Gazette-Times Reporter

PHILOMATH - It was going to take more than a horrible case of cramps to keep Keith Fakhoury off the field on Friday night.

Just minutes after being helped off the field, the Philomath High senior stopped Stayton quarterback Sawyer Clark on a two-point conversion attempt that would have given the Eagles an 8-7 lead with 5:36 remaining in the game.

Fakhoury then gave PHS some breathing room on its ensuing drive, carrying the ball four times to set up Trevor Motter's 6-yard touchdown run with 1:37 remaining, allowing the Warriors to hold on for a 13-6 nonleague win.

"Tonight's game came from the heart," Fakhoury said. "We wanted to win this one badly and show people that this is a new team."

Fakhoury finished with 48 yards on 20 carries, while Motter carried 12 times for 51 yards. As strong as the Warriors' run game was, it was their defense that was most impressive against the Eagles, especially in the first half.

They allowed only two first downs, forced two fumbles (recovering one) and picked off a pass in the half.

"It was a great first game for us," senior defensive lineman CJ Roach said. "The coaches have been telling us that defense is what's going to carry us this year, so we wanted to come out strong."

Joseph Harmon and Motter finished with eight tackles apiece to lead the Warriors while Roach added six.

PHS (1-0) came out firing on offense as well. Senior quarterback Dan Haynes, who missed most of last season due to injury, completed a 17-yard pass to tight end Carson Howard on the game's first play. Eight plays later, Fakhoury scored from three yards out to give the Warriors an early lead.

"Having Dan back gives us so much confidence," Fakhoury said. "With him, our offense is so much more versatile."

Haynes was 3-for-7 with two interceptions but all three of his completions were for first downs. He also rushed for 13 yards.

Early in the game, Stayton tried to pound the ball up the middle against the Warriors' defense, but was unsuccessful. The Eagles then went outside, using toss and sweep plays. However, PHS was ready for the change in running styles.

"We knew they might try to do that," Roach said. "So we worked on that play all week in practice and I thought we did a good job against it."

Stayton finally got on the board midway through the fourth when Clark scored from a yard out to pull the Eagles within one. The 12-play drive was highlighted by a 28-yard scamper by running back Kyle McGrath.

But Clark was unable to come up big again, thanks to Fakhoury's crucial stop on the next play.

"Even if I couldn't have returned, I trusted my teammates to come through," Fakhoury said. "But it was amazing being able to help the team win."

Philomath 13, Stayton 6

STAYTON 0 0 0 6 - 6

PHILOMATH 7 0 0 6 - 13

First Quarter

PHS: Keith Fakhoury 3 run (Trevor Motter kick), 7:44

Fourth quarter

S: Sawyer Clark 1 run (run failed), 5:36

PHS: Motter 6 run (kick failed), 1:37

RUSHING: SHS - Mikolas 12-50, McGrath 10-74, Morales 6-5, Clark 3-1. PHS - K. Fakhoury 20-48; Motter 12-51; N. Fakhoury 5-23; Haynes 5-13.

PASSING: SHS - Clark: 3-11-2. PHS - Haynes 3-7-2, 59 yards

RECEIVING: SHS - Morales 2-16, Dedow 1-15. PHS - Motter 1-17; Howard 1-17; Stevens 1-25.