Gladiators rally to OT win over Hidden Valley

Gladstone knots score with seconds remaining in regulation

By John Denny

The Portland Tribune, Nov 14, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

JONATHAN HOUSE / THE PORTLAND TRIBUNE

Gladstone's Austin Foteff celebrates after a game-clinching interception in overtime to beat Hidden Valley 27-20 in the second round of Class 4A playoffs.

The fifth-ranked Gladstone Gladiators won a 27-20 overtime thriller over eighth-ranked Hidden Valley in a second-round game of the Class 4A playoffs at Gladstone Friday night.

Gladstone quarterback Taylor Taft took the ball in from the 5-yard line on the option for the game-winning touchdown. Austen Cote’s PAT kick rang true, putting the Glads on top 27-20.

Hidden Valley then took its turn in overtime. But Gladstone defensive back Austin Foteff picked off a pass at the goal line on the Mustangs’ third play, and Gladstone players, coaches and fans flooded the field in celebration.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Foteff said. “We battled back and battled back and battled back. I’ve never played so hard in my life. I’m really proud of our guys. We battled hard and pulled it out.”

Gladstone dominated the play in the first half and 14-6.

But the Mustangs got the momentum going early in the second half, and Gladstone needed some heroics to stay alive.

Things began to sour for the Gladiators on their first possession of the second half, when a bad snap from center on a punt gained the Mustangs the ball at the Gladstone 3.

Two plays later, Hidden Valley running back Todd Woodrum dashed one yard to paydirt, trimming the Gladiators’ lead to 14-12.

An attempt to run for the PAT fell just short. But the Mustangs regained possession in Gladiator territory on a successful onside kick.

Two plays later, Woodrum busted a 25-yard run up the middle for a third touchdown. Hidden Valley quarterback Spencer Apland found Chase Kearney open in the right corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion, and the Mustangs found themselves leading for the first time, at 20-14, with the third quarter just five minutes old.

The two teams then traded punts until Gladstone went on the march in the fourth quarter.

The Gladiators penetrated deep into Mustang territory on an 11-play drive, only to have it halted by Kearney, who picked off a pass in the end zone for a touchback.

It was the first interception Gladstone quarterback Taylor Taft had thrown all season, and it came with only 3:51 remaining in regulation.

1 | 2 Next Page >>

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit