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Panthers shut out Willamina in opener
By Scott J. Adams, Sports Writer
Monday, November 12, 2007 | 1 comment(s)
COOS BAY — The Gold Beach Panthers have a knack for making a big entrance in the playoffs.
For the second straight year, they did it with a shutout.
Gold Beach rode another impressive performance from its defense and four first-half touchdowns to a 38-0 victory over Willamina in the first round of the OSAA Class 3A state playoffs.
Saturday’s win at Pete Susick Stadium moved the top-ranked and undefeated Panthers (11-0) into a quarterfinal matchup with Regis — but even more importantly, strengthened hopes of reaching the state title game.
“It’s been the kids’ goal all season,” Gold Beach coach Kevin Swift said afterward. “And to make it back to the playoffs and open with a big win like this, it can’t hurt. We had a great game today.”
The Panthers were clearly in line for that after the first four minutes.
Gold Beach’s opening drive covered 53 yards in 40 seconds and was capped by a 27-yard touchdown run by fullback Travis Moore. After Willamina was held to three-and-out, the Panthers struck again two minutes later — this time with a 34-yard touchdown run by Herbie Smith on an off-tackle sweep.
In a flash of seven offensive plays, Gold Beach led 14-0.
“It’s kind of tough to keep up with a team like that when you get behind early,” said Willamina coach Aaron Cupp. “They have some great athletes that work really hard and my hat’s off to them.”
Moore rushed for 66 yards on 13 carries and added another touchdown run in the second quarter after Nathan Moore picked off Bulldogs quarterback J.J. Flynn at the Gold Beach 39-yard line.
From there, the Panthers put together a back-breaking 12-play drive before Moore cashed in from 5 yards out, making it 21-0.
Smith set up the score with first-down runs of 22 and 20 yards, adding to his game-high 106 yards rushing on the day.
“We knew they were going to play us tough, so it was big to get some early momentum,” said Smith, a senior tailback. “We were getting some good blocks up front.”
Willamina pushed into Gold Beach territory four times in the game, but two of those drives ended in takeaways and another resulted in a turnover on downs at the 10-yard line.
Flynn completed 5 of 16 passes for 43 yards and was picked off three times — each leading to scores. Gold Beach linebacker Brandon Harding made the second interception at midfield late in the first half, setting up the first of two touchdown passes on the day from Jeffrey Knox to David Bonotto.
Knox found his senior wideout open for a 43-yard score to make it 28-0 at the half, then hit a streaking Bonotto again on a well-placed 37-yard pass with 2:17 left in the fourth quarter.
“Their defense was OK. They tried to go man-on with us, and we we’re finding holes out there,” Bonotto said. “Our defense got a goose egg — that made our job easier.”
Gold Beach defensive back Mackenzie Burdett had two sacks in the game and came up with the Panthers’ third pick, which led to Bonotto’s second touchdown.
Gold Beach, the reigning Sunset Conference champion, limited the run-heavy Bulldogs to 67 yards on the ground and held Willamina’s leading rusher, Dustin Risseeuw to 49 on 16 carries.
“Stopping the run was key,” Burdett said. “(Risseeuw) was pretty strong, but we stopped him. We knew we had to because our offense would take care of itself.”
While the Panthers dominated with the run, Knox kept the Bulldogs off balance with sharp passing. He finished 8-of-13 for 153 yards and was intercepted once. Bonotto hauled in six passes for 111 yards and converted two fourth-down situations on runs from his punter position.
“We got contributions in every area of the game,” Swift said. “That’s what you need to do in the playoffs. We need to keep improving though.”
Willamina’s defense dug in for the second half, holding the Panthers scoreless until a 31-yard field goal by Todd Martin on the first drive of the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs offense, meanwhile, gained 45 of its 110 yards in the game but to no avail.
“Our intensity picked up in the second half but their speed caught us off guard. They’re a fast team, especially with this turf,” said Risseeuw. “We just got tired. Those early scores killed us, too.”
Willamina’s B.J. Wilson finished with 42 all-purpose yards, and freshman defensive back Andy Zimbrick added a second-quarter interception for the Bulldogs, who ended their season at 4-6.
Gold Beach, which shut out Jefferson 44-0 in the first round last year, will try for its third semifinals berth in four years Saturday against a challenging Regis team.
“It’s going to be a huge test for us,” Burdett said. “Each game gets more intense from here and we have to rise above it.”
Notes: Saturday’s kickoff is at 4 p.m. at Willamette University.
For the second straight year, they did it with a shutout.
Gold Beach rode another impressive performance from its defense and four first-half touchdowns to a 38-0 victory over Willamina in the first round of the OSAA Class 3A state playoffs.
Saturday’s win at Pete Susick Stadium moved the top-ranked and undefeated Panthers (11-0) into a quarterfinal matchup with Regis — but even more importantly, strengthened hopes of reaching the state title game.
“It’s been the kids’ goal all season,” Gold Beach coach Kevin Swift said afterward. “And to make it back to the playoffs and open with a big win like this, it can’t hurt. We had a great game today.”
The Panthers were clearly in line for that after the first four minutes.
Gold Beach’s opening drive covered 53 yards in 40 seconds and was capped by a 27-yard touchdown run by fullback Travis Moore. After Willamina was held to three-and-out, the Panthers struck again two minutes later — this time with a 34-yard touchdown run by Herbie Smith on an off-tackle sweep.
In a flash of seven offensive plays, Gold Beach led 14-0.
“It’s kind of tough to keep up with a team like that when you get behind early,” said Willamina coach Aaron Cupp. “They have some great athletes that work really hard and my hat’s off to them.”
Moore rushed for 66 yards on 13 carries and added another touchdown run in the second quarter after Nathan Moore picked off Bulldogs quarterback J.J. Flynn at the Gold Beach 39-yard line.
From there, the Panthers put together a back-breaking 12-play drive before Moore cashed in from 5 yards out, making it 21-0.
Smith set up the score with first-down runs of 22 and 20 yards, adding to his game-high 106 yards rushing on the day.
“We knew they were going to play us tough, so it was big to get some early momentum,” said Smith, a senior tailback. “We were getting some good blocks up front.”
Willamina pushed into Gold Beach territory four times in the game, but two of those drives ended in takeaways and another resulted in a turnover on downs at the 10-yard line.
Flynn completed 5 of 16 passes for 43 yards and was picked off three times — each leading to scores. Gold Beach linebacker Brandon Harding made the second interception at midfield late in the first half, setting up the first of two touchdown passes on the day from Jeffrey Knox to David Bonotto.
Knox found his senior wideout open for a 43-yard score to make it 28-0 at the half, then hit a streaking Bonotto again on a well-placed 37-yard pass with 2:17 left in the fourth quarter.
“Their defense was OK. They tried to go man-on with us, and we we’re finding holes out there,” Bonotto said. “Our defense got a goose egg — that made our job easier.”
Gold Beach defensive back Mackenzie Burdett had two sacks in the game and came up with the Panthers’ third pick, which led to Bonotto’s second touchdown.
Gold Beach, the reigning Sunset Conference champion, limited the run-heavy Bulldogs to 67 yards on the ground and held Willamina’s leading rusher, Dustin Risseeuw to 49 on 16 carries.
“Stopping the run was key,” Burdett said. “(Risseeuw) was pretty strong, but we stopped him. We knew we had to because our offense would take care of itself.”
While the Panthers dominated with the run, Knox kept the Bulldogs off balance with sharp passing. He finished 8-of-13 for 153 yards and was intercepted once. Bonotto hauled in six passes for 111 yards and converted two fourth-down situations on runs from his punter position.
“We got contributions in every area of the game,” Swift said. “That’s what you need to do in the playoffs. We need to keep improving though.”
Willamina’s defense dug in for the second half, holding the Panthers scoreless until a 31-yard field goal by Todd Martin on the first drive of the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs offense, meanwhile, gained 45 of its 110 yards in the game but to no avail.
“Our intensity picked up in the second half but their speed caught us off guard. They’re a fast team, especially with this turf,” said Risseeuw. “We just got tired. Those early scores killed us, too.”
Willamina’s B.J. Wilson finished with 42 all-purpose yards, and freshman defensive back Andy Zimbrick added a second-quarter interception for the Bulldogs, who ended their season at 4-6.
Gold Beach, which shut out Jefferson 44-0 in the first round last year, will try for its third semifinals berth in four years Saturday against a challenging Regis team.
“It’s going to be a huge test for us,” Burdett said. “Each game gets more intense from here and we have to rise above it.”
Notes: Saturday’s kickoff is at 4 p.m. at Willamette University.
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