Pioneers fire up at Clackamas

Zach Roberts hits Charlie Poppen with the game-winner with 27 seconds to play

By John Denny

The Clackamas Review, Oct 7, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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CLACKAMAS – Oregon City was dominant in the second half as the Pioneers rallied from a 17-0 second-quarter deficit to drop Clackamas 27-26 in an intensely fought Three Rivers League football game at Clackamas Friday.

Hero honors went to Oregon City quarterback Zach Roberts, who rushed for two touchdowns and lofted a 32-yard pass to wide receiver Charlie Poppen with 27 seconds remaining for the winning touchdown.

Roberts was faced with a fourth-and-8, do-or-die situation when he made the winning toss. He fumbled the snap on the play, but picked it up and got the ball off under pressure.

“At first I was thinking, ‘Oh crap,’” said Roberts. “Then it was, ‘Keep going. Don’t panic.’”

Senior running back Thomas Coyle, who has carried most of the offensive load for the Pioneers this season, was beside himself following the victory.

“I’m stoked,” said Coyle. “I’ve never felt like this before in my life. I feel on top of the world….

“We picked it up [in the second half] and took everything. We took the momentum first, the scoreboard second, and then the victory. It’s an incredible feeling!”

Roberts had a career night of throwing the football, completing 14-of-19 for 214 yards and the winning touchdown. And he didn’t throw an interception.

Coyle led a balanced ground attack that netted 218 yards, rushing 26 times for 110 yards.

Roberts gave Poppen credit for much of his success at throwing the football.

“Poppen’s a stud,” he said. “I don’t know how he catches some of those passes.”

Poppen did have a pretty good night, hauling down seven passes for 155 yards and the winning touchdown, and intercepting a pass early in the fourth quarter that was pivotal in the Pioneers’ comeback.

Oregon City

digs a hole

Things didn’t look very good for the Pioneers early in the game.

Clackamas junior Jordan Bergstrom returned the opening kickoff 82 yards to the end zone for an early 7-0 Cavalier lead.

Later in the first period, Clackamas linebacker R.J. Carranza recovered a fumble at the Oregon City 23, setting up a five-yard touchdown run by Jeanna Lifungula, for a 14-0 Cavalier lead.

Midway through the second period Matt Calhoun split the uprights for a 30-yard field goal to make it 17-0 Clackamas.

Oregon City sustained its first successful drive as the first half was winding down. Coyle fumbled the ball into the end zone on a short carry. Fortunately for the Pioneers, offensive lineman William Main pounced on the miscue to preserve the touchdown. Roberts then passed to Joshua Walker for the two-point conversion.

Clackamas added a 28-yard field goal by Matt Calhoun with seconds left in the second quarter. And the Cavaliers went into the locker room owning a 20-8 lead.

Pioneers turn

it up a notch

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