Rams use defense, Perry's six TD passes to deck David Douglas

By Steve Brandon

The Portland Tribune, Oct 9, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

L.E. BASKOW / THE PORTLAND TRIBUNE

Central Catholic's Austin Gonzalez strips the ball from running back Dominique McCallister of David Douglas in the first half of the Rams' 49-21 Mount Hood Conference triumph Thursday at PGE Park.

The defense made convincing opening arguments in the first half, and the offense rested its case in the second half Thursday as Central Catholic blitzed David Douglas 49-21 at PGE Park.

The Rams outscored the Scots 42-6 over a 20 1/2-minute span in the middle of the game, and quarterback Jordan Perry finished with six touchdown passes.

"Our most complete game of the season," said Rams coach Steve Pyne.

The Rams turned up the intensity in practice during the week, even though the flu and injuries kept 21 players on the sidelines on Tuesday.

"We weren't focused enough in our losses," said receiver Bryson Koch, who had two touchdown receptions in the David Douglas game. "We had to prepare harder."

The victory was key for the Rams' psyche and standing in the Mount Hood Conference.

Central won its second MHC game in a row, after losses to Sheldon (nonleague) and league foe Centennial.

The Rams (3-2 overall, 2-1 MHC) share the top spot in the conference with David Douglas (2-3, 2-1), Barlow, Centennial and Gresham. Sandy and Hood River Valley are 1-2, and Reynolds is 0-3.

Central Catholic will visit Sandy on Oct. 16, while Barlow goes to Gresham, Centennial is at Reynolds, and David Douglas journeys to Hood River Valley.

The Rams can put themselves in title position by beating Sandy and then winning on the road against Barlow on Oct. 23.

"That's the only thing we can control," Pyne said.

The Rams' defense took control early against the Scots. David Douglas lost fumbles on its first two possessions. The second turnover came at the DD 36-yard line and led to CC's opening score, when Perry found sophomore Troy Gernhart over the middle from three yards. Perry had helped the drive with back-[o-back QB draws, good for 10 and nine yards.

It turned out to be a huge night for the Rams' senior signal-caller.

"Our defense set the tone," Perry said. "We've been focusing on that, and they got some turnovers."

As for his own big pass plays, "It helps when you get a lot of time back there and guys get open. We had the right play calls tonight, too."

A fourth-down sack by Central's Joe Lopez halted David Douglas from getting inside the Rams' 26, but the Scots, a team that plays hard, forged a 7-7 tie midway through the second quarter. Gritty QB Tyler Maes hit 6-3 tight end Owa Odighizuwa over the middle with a lob pass, and the highly recruited Scot danced to the end zone. The big play capped an eight-play, 69-yard drive.

Central Catholic answered immediately, though. Demetri Posey ran 29 yards to the David Douglas 24, and two plays later Koch made the first of what Pyne called "two miraculous touchdown catches."

This one came from 21 yards, on a throw by Perry that defensive back Richard Seamster tipped in the end zone. But as Koch was falling to the turf, he tracked the ball as it came back down to earth, or, more specifically, into his hands.

"He (Seamster) tripped me up, and as I was falling backward, I took a picture of the ball in my mind," Koch said. "I kind of scooted over on my butt, and it fell into my arms."

The next move was the defense's. Nick O'Donnell picked off a Maes pass and streaked 53 yards down the sidelines for another Ram touchdown. The score gave Central Catholic a 21-7 lead with 2:09 remaining in the half.

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