Tigard's fourth-quarter surge sinks the Eagles

FOOTBALL – Fullback Beau Hansen scores the winning touchdown with 7:33 to play

By David Ball

The Gresham Outlook, Sep 5, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Jim Clark / The Outlook

Centennial running back Kevin Bannister pulls away from a crowd of tacklers during the Eagles' 20-19 loss to Tigard in Friday's season opener.

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Centennial was on the verge of a big opening-night victory when Tigard’s aerial show started lighting up the sky to steal away with a 20-19 win Friday, Sept. 4.

The Eagles took a 19-7 into the fourth quarter only to see Tigard's passing combo of Brian Gehring and Ian McGetrick set up a pair of quick scores to bring the Tigers back down the stretch.

The Tigers started their winning drive with a quick out pattern to McGetrick, who shook loose from a pair of tacklers and raced 21 yards down the sideline.

“We stepped up in that fourth quarter and started playing like we should have the whole game,” he said.

With McGetrick stealing the attention of the defense, fullback Beau Hansen ran a short crossing route to the opposite side of the field, stiff-armed the only tackler in the area and ran 27 yards for the winning touchdown.

Centennial’s last possession was doomed when Tigard’s Nick Moore broke through the line and sacked Wolf for a 12-yard loss. The play forced the Eagles to go deep just to move the chains.

Two plays later, Tigard's Michael Flannigan intercepted a floater down the middle to seal the victory with 1:52 to play.

Centennial held the lead through most of the first half, highlighted by Ian Palavra’s 39-yard touchdown run. The Eagles extended to a 12-7 lead late in the half when Tigard snapped the ball over the punter’s head and he kicked the ball out of the end zone.

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