Sandy football wins second playoff game in school history

Published 11:30 pm Friday, November 8, 2024

Twenty-six years — that was the number echoing in the heads of the Sandy faithful.

Nearly three decades of coming close, but failing to win a playoff game. The last victory (the only in school history) was long before any of the current Pioneers were born. Heck, even Coach Josh Dill was looking baby faced back when that win happened.

But there was a quiet confidence about Sandy football as they took the field Friday, Nov. 8, against visiting McMinnville. Everyone was ready to make history — from a defense that clamped down with a bunch of sacks and turnovers; a cadre of running backs, led by a star senior, that piled up yardage; and a wealth of talented youngsters who are playing well beyond their years.

All of it led to a historic feat. Sandy football won a playoff game.

“We have been so close — I read off to my guys all the captains that have been here in the last four years and the legacy they left,” Coach Dill said. “All the people, the family atmosphere we have created, and how close we have been for so long.”

“To break through that means the world, I love these kids,” he added. “They have overcome so much and earned this.”

The No. 20 Pioneers (6-4) won 39-16 over the No. 21 Grizzlies (4-6) in the first round of the 2024 OSAA 6A Football State Championship (formerly the Columbia Cup).

“It feels great, after some losses in the season we won a playoff game and made history,” said senior running back Mataio Olomua. “We came here to win.”

For Sandy, Olomua had 230 yards rushing and 2 TDs; junior running back Caden McMahon had 99 yards rushing and a TD; and sophomore slot James Richards had 54 yards from scrimmage and a TD.

For McMinnville, senior running back Riley Donahue had 145 yards rushing and a TD; senior quarterback Kane Sullivan threw for 142 yards and a TD; and senior Bryce Wilson had 5 catches for 79 yards and a TD.

“You can’t say enough about Mataio, he is just a special, special person and player,” Dill said. “He is the heart of this team, and it showed tonight.”

It was a low-scoring brawl in the first half, 7-7, with the Grizzlies drawing first blood on a home run 82-yard scoring scamper by Donahue.

“When they scored that long touchdown, we had to answer back,” Olomua said.

The Pioneers punched back with a 9-play, 60-yard drive punctuated by the sophomore duo of quarterback Micaiah Turin and Richards connecting on an 11-yard touchdown pass.

“Coming into the season we knew the sophomore class was really special,” Dill said. “We had some close games early in the season and we were just so young we couldn’t close them out. But the talent was there — we kept working, stacking successes in practice.”

Sandy couldn’t build on that lead. Three times the offense stalled out, and senior kicker Marco Torres missed three field goals.

“We knew there was a lot more game to be played,” Olomua said. “We had to come out harder, with more effort.”

While the offense needed two quarters to rev its engine, the defense was firing on all cylinders. The Pioneers had 8 sacks, four of which came courtesy Gracyn Fitch (another from that star-studded sophomore class). Fitch also had a fumble recovery; junior Teagan Turin had an interception on the final drive; and Olomua had a 45-yard pick-six in the third quarter.

“That is the best defense we’ve played all year,” Olomua said.

The start of the third was déjà vu — trading touchdowns. McMinnville took the lead on a 48-yard bomb between Sullivan and Wilson; then Sandy answered with a 49-yard Olomua touchdown run.

When the Pioneers offense again stalled on a later drive in the third quarter, the Sandy coaching staff didn’t hesitate to turn to Torres again.

“Marco has been special for such a long time, I know who he is,” Dill said.

His first two attempts had been deep, 47 and 46 yards, and the third was an uncharacteristic shank. But he lined up and nailed the 30-yard try midway through the third quarter to make it 17-14 Sandy.

“Letting him go back in and kick that go-ahead field goal was big for us and him,” Dill said. “I told him I love him and I knew he was going to make it.”

The Pioneers never looked back, claiming the historic win. But no one on this team is content to rest on their laurels.

“We need to come in next week humble,” Olomua said. “We can’t have too much pride, because it’s just one playoff win and we want to keep going for as long as we can.”

Next on the schedule is a long road trip to face No. 13 South Medford, who downed Jefferson (Portland) 41-0 in the opening round. That game will be Friday, Nov. 15.

“I am excited to see South Medford, I know they are good and the whole town goes to the game,” Dill said. “To win it is going to take us being about us and the family we have created.”

“These guys are hungry and want to keep winning — we think we can make a run,” he added.