West Linn stops Clackamas 20-12

The Lions build a 20-6 first-half lead and hang on

By John Denny

The Clackamas Review, Sep 21, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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CLACKAMAS –West Linn gained a leg up in the Three Rivers League state Class 6A football playoff chase here Friday night, toppling Clackamas 20-12.

It was the first game of the Three Rivers League season for both teams, but West Linn, Clackamas and Lake Oswego are considered the league’s strongest teams.

“Hopefully this means we’re going to be Three Rivers League champs,” said West Linn running back/receiver Josh Oltman. “Now we’ve just got to take it one game at a time. We’ve got Lakeridge next week.”

West Linn led Friday’s game most of the way, but the outcome could have just as easily gone the other way.

The Lions built a 20-6 lead in the first half, but the Cavaliers held the Lions scoreless after the intermission. And had it not been for an early fourth quarter penalty, the Cavaliers might have pulled out the victory.

“We came out a little flat in the first half,” said Clackamas quarterback Ryan Cook. “But we played hard and we battled back. We were in it to the end.”

With Clackamas trailing 20-12 and 7:20 left to play, Cook hooked up with wide receiver Kylle Walkoski for what appeared to be a 49-yard touchdown pass play. Clackamas’ sidelines and grandstands erupted in celebration, and it appeared that the Cavaliers might gain momentum for a comeback.

But the enthusiasm was short-lived, as the officials dinged the Cavaliers with a clipping penalty. The touchdown was called back, and the ball was brought back to the West Linn 41.

West Linn free safety Justin Monahan intercepted a pass in the end zone in the ensuing play, and the Cavaliers never threatened again.

Clackamas got on the scoreboard first. After the Lions missed a field goal on the game’s first position, the Cavaliers marched 80 yards in seven plays, with Cook passing 29 yards to wide receiver Ben Adler for the score.

The Lions then answered with touchdown drives on their next three possessions.

Kyle Kraus capped off a six-play 65-yard drive with a five-yard dash to paydirt; Monahan capped off a five-play 45-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown reception from Lion quarterback Bryce Baker; and Josh Oltman hauled in an 11-yard pass from Baker for a third touchdown and a 20-6 Lion lead.

The Cavaliers came out like gangbusters in the second half, with Greg Inahara returning the opening kickoff 44 yards to the midfield stripe.

Five plays later, Cook found junior receiver Matt Nylen open on the left sideline for a 38-yard touchdown pass play.

West Linn senior Josh Thurston blocked the PAT kick, and the Lion lead was 20-12.

But that was as close as the Cavaliers would get.

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