Canby's air show rockets past Centennial in state quarterfinals

FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – Cougars' QB Josh Yoder launches six touchdown strikes in 63-36 win

By David Ball

The Gresham Outlook, Nov 29, 2009, Updated Dec 2, 2009

David Ball / The Outlook

Centennial quarterback Nate Wolf fakes a handoff to fullback Ivan Palavra during the Eagles' 63-36 playoff loss to Canby on Friday night.

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OREGON CITY – Canby simply couldn’t be slowed down Friday night during its 63-36 quarterfinal win over Centennial in the OSAA Class 6A football playoffs.

The Cougars found the end zone on nine of their first 10 possessions, taking a 56-21 lead early in the second half when quarterback Josh Yoder found Cody Smith along the left sideline for his sixth TD strike of the game.

No. 3-ranked Canby will face No. 1 Sheldon in next week’s semifinals. The Irish blew out Lake Oswego 44-7 on Friday night.

Centennial kept pace in the early stages, tying the score on its first possession when quarterback Nate Wolf broke loose for a 45-yard gain and plunged over the goal line a couple plays later.

The Eagles added another score early in the second quarter when running back Kevin Bannister pulled up short on a sprint to the sideline and launched a long pass down the sideline. Teammate Tyler Pannell caught the ball and cut back across the field to beat two Canby tacklers in a race for the far pylon.

The trick-play touchdown helped Centennial pull to within 28-14, but Canby scored the game’s next three touchdowns to put the game away.

• On the other side of the bracket, West Salem beat West Linn 41-20 and Jesuit shut out Grant 33-0.

Look for extended coverage of Centennial’s quarterfinal playoff in the Wednesday, Dec. 2, issue of The Outlook.