Regis never punted the ball during its Class 3A semifinal loss to Gold Beach last Saturday.

Still, the Panthers won 41-29.

Seven times, Gold Beach took the ball away from the Rams, including six interceptions. That followed four turnovers forced in the Panthers’ quarterfinal win over Umatilla and two in the victory over Warrenton in the first round.

Both Regis and Umatilla were able to move the ball on the Panthers, but Gold Beach frequently stopped drives with takeaways.

Gold Beach coach Kevin Swift hates the phrase “bend but don’t break,” but that’s essentially a theme the Panthers follow on defense.

“We realize that people are going to move the ball on us,” Swift said. “In high school football, teams can do that.

“I like the idea of making the offense snap the ball. The more they snap the ball, the more likely they are to make a mistake.”

That’s what happened the past two weeks.

In preparing for the game with Regis, the Panthers noticed many of the Rams’ touchdowns during the year came on big plays.

“I told the kids, ‘Make them impatient and try to make the big play and force a mistake,’” Swift said. “We want to take advantage of those mistakes.”

Todd Martin and Jeffrey Knox intercepted two passes each, while Don Swan and lineman Tim Young also had interceptions. Mike Klein recovered a fumble for Gold Beach.

A week earlier against Umatilla, Garett Wolford had two interceptions, while Knox and Moore also picked off passes.

Moore, a standout linebacker for the Panthers, said there are a few reasons the Panthers have a knack for interceptions.

“I think teams tend to underestimate our secondary because our corners are so small,” he said of cornerbacks Todd Martin, Don Swan and Hugo Rosa.

The other key element is at the front of the defense.

“We have a good defensive line that gives the quarterback pressure,” Moore said.

Swift said the line plays a vital role.

“I’m an old college secondary coach,” he said. “The best pass defense is a pass rush.”

For the season, Gold Beach has 27 interceptions and has recovered nine fumbles. Knox leads the way with seven interceptions, while Rosa and Garett Wolford had five each. Moore and Swan have three interceptions.

Logan Hockema has three fumble recoveries, while Mike Klein and Knox have two each.

In the championship game Saturday, the Panthers would love turnovers, but really just want to make stops on defense.

“Even though we’ve caused a bunch of turnovers, we’ve only made the other team punt once or twice (the past two weeks),” Moore said. “We’ve just got to keep the other team off the scoreboard.”

Swift doesn’t expect Gold Beach to force many turnovers against Grant Union.

 “We’re similar,” he said. “They take care of the ball. They play good defense. They run the ball down your throat.

“They’re a good ballclub.”