Pregame:

Wilsonville’s football team is 2 wins away from the 5A State Championship, but they have to get through Silverton’s high powered offense first.

The Wildcats go into the quarterfinal game on a 6 game winning streak, throttling North Eugene 51-7 last game. During the win streak Wilsonville has averaged over 40 points per game, largely thanks to Senior wideout Cooper Hiday. “It really opens up the offense for us, allows us to do a variety of things, because they’re so focused on Cooper and the long ball, our run game has really improved, and it’s allowed other receivers to open up.” Said Athletic Director Josh Davis.

The offense has a good chance to keep up pace, as Silverton’s defense is very inconsistent, allowing 35 points or more 4 times, even conceding 52 points vs Crescent Valley.

Offensive predictions: Wilsonville scores 31 or more, Cooper Hiday scores at least once.

The defense during the streak has played arguably just as good. Over the same stretch of games, the defense has not allowed more than 14 points once. The previous 2 games, the defense has a total of 16 sacks, key in the defense’s performances. “DB (Defensive Back) is a difficult position to play. When our defensive line rushes the opposing quarterback trying to throw the ball it makes the position a little easier, so I do have to give credit to our defensive line. That streak will be tested vs Silverton. ” Said Senior DB Jesse Deitz.

Silverton will test the defense’s. The foxes have scored 39 points or more in all 7 wins this season, reaching 74 points vs Crescent Valley, the same game they allowed 52. Silverton’s lead running back, Jackson Pfeifer, is likely to surpass 1,000 yards rushing, and currently has 25 total touchdowns on the year. A key to this game is stopping the Foxes running game. “The run defense has been a big priority for this week. If we can stop the run we have a pretty good chance of coming out of this game on top.” Said Deitz.

Defensive predictions: Silverton scores 24 0r less, Pfeifer has 90+ yards and a touchdown, Wilsonville gets 3-5 sacks.

Game prediction: Wilsonville wins by 10+ points

Postgame:

Wilsonville won 39-26, so my 31+ points scored and game prediction were correct, largely thanks to a dominant second half running game, averaging a first down per carry. QB Kallen Gutridge and RB Jacob Ogden combined for over 200 yards rushing and 3 rushing touchdowns. Both players having a run of 60+ yards. The passing game was inconsistent, Gutridge finishing with 109 yards passing with 5 completions on 15 attempts to go with 2 passing touchdowns. Neither passing touchdown was caught by Cooper Hiday, so that prediction was wrong, breaking Hiday’s 7 game touchdown streak.

My prediction of Silverton scoring 24 or less was just off, however Wilsonville got exactly 5 sacks, 4 of which coming from senior Ryder McElroy. Pfeifer scored several touchdowns and had a good, not great performance in terms of yards. I can’t say for sure if he alone did or didn’t reach 90, but Silverton’s running game picked up in the 3rd quarter.

Wilsonville plays Bend in the Semifinals at Barlow High School on November 18th at 7:00 PM.