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Oregon City Pioneers Write Another Chapter In Win Over Solid Clackamas Squad

Oregon City was riding a magical season at 6-1 after loosing their Head Coach Ken Strasser in a scandal that tested the souls of the kids and Pioneer faithful. There were tow of the State’s very best Running Backs in this one in Senior Dan Sherrell (Clackamas) and Sophomore Conner Mitchell (Oregon City)

Oregon City Pioneers Write Another Chapter In Win Over Solid Clackamas Squad

by
Dirk Knudsen
October 19, 2013

I must admit that after my pregame walk of the field sizing up the players and athletes I was leaning towards the Clackamas Cavaliers. From the standpoint of athletes with D-1 Talent and that pass the “look test” the Cav’s are loaded. The Oregon City Pioneers were riding a magical season at 6-1 after loosing their Head Coach Ken Strasser in a scandal that tested the souls of the kids and Pioneer faithful. There were tow of the State’s very best Running Backs in this one in Senior Dan Sherrell (Clackamas) and Sophomore Conner Mitchell (Oregon City) who are both pushing the 1500 yard mark after last night.

#7 is Conner Mitchell. The kid benches 285 and runs a 4.5. He has special skills and went for 193 yards and 2 TD’s in the big win.

Clackamas has two terrific Quarterbacks in Cade Wilkins and Doonie Johnson; both can really throw that rock. Tight End Brody Haehlen (6’5″-250 lbs) and Offensive Linemen David Reese (6’7″-270) are both Division 1 players for the Cavaliers and lived up to the part play after play. So it was easy to see why some prognosticators had Clackamas winning this one.

But from the opening kickoff is was clear Oregon City had taken the gloves off and were not going to back down one inch. The teams exchanged vicious series up and down the field where defense and big hits stole the show early before the points and big plays began to roll in.

In the end Oregon City had too much and won this one 35-21. The Oregonian has stats and write ups for your review.

Bonus Feature- Slow Mo Video of 80 Yard TD pass- Hall to Oades

What I will say is this about the game:

Oregon City QB Johnathan Hall is playing the role of David in the Goliath way. The kid stood in that pocket and threw laser accurate passes with pressure coming and lead one of the most complete games we have seen in a long time from a QB. A kid that no-one knows about who is just coming into his own had a big night. And he plans to lead the Pioneers to the League outright Championship next week over Lake Oswego.
Conner Mitchell who had put up huge numbers was fun to watch and as advertised. One of the fastest kids laterally we have seen in a long time; great moves; a punishing runner. He is moving way up our 2016 list and if your a College Coach this performance of 193 yards and 2 TD’s was all work. Get this film. Over 2 more years of this guy? Music to our ears.
Player of the game – Clay Valenzuela-Reece- Oregon City- Clay picked off 3 TD Passes; two in the end zone and one on the 8 yard line. He also rose up and took a TD pass out of the hands of Brody Haehlen who had a death grip on it right at the Goal Line. That was 4 scores that this kid denied and I have to say that was the game breaker. He also scored a TD on offense. This was one of the great individual efforts we have seen in the 30 plus years we have been following High School football.
The Oregon City Line played well on both sides and the receiver core was solid too.
Clackamas is a threat to go deep into the playoffs. This game was their to win and Clay shut it down. The Cav’s are talented and can win in the playoffs.