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Playing Over His Head – Zach Floyd Refuses To Lose

Tigard was rated #3 but maybe not the favorite going into the big game Friday Night against #4 Central Catholic. Then again no one counted them out either

Playing Over His Head – Zach Floyd Refuses To Lose

 

 

 

Tigard  was rated #3 but maybe not the favorite going into the big game Friday Night against #4 Central Catholic.  Then again no one counted them out either.  But with the injury bug biting them big time in the playoffs their numbers were thinning out quite a bit. 

"I knew what I had to do to pick up the slack," said Tigard star Running Back Zach Floyd.

His two running mates and fellow Senior play makers Benny Wick and Kaz Greene were still out injured leaving Floyd to carry the load.

And that is just what he did.  Behind incredible blocking by his O-Line and his Pile Drive FB AJ Hotchkins AKA "The Punisher" Zach pounded away at the star studded Central Catholic defense.  

47 times he launched himself into the fray and 47 times he got up after being repeatedly drilled by the Rams hit squad.  Most back could not have survived the pounding he took.  Zach found himself on 4 of those carries getting up in the end zone scoring 4 more touchdowns on the season.

When the smoke cleared the 5'9"-185 pound powerhouse had gone for 341 yards.  Only a few days before he had gone for 314 yards and helped the Tigers turn back a tough Canby squad 42-14.  So this young man in two weeks against Top rated opponents has rushed for 655 yards.

Floyd scored on two Long runs in the later stages of regulation; one scores tied the game 28-28 and the other put the Tigers up 35-28.  Then Central Catholic hit Cameron Scarlett on a deep ball with just over 2 minutes left and that made it 35-34.

The snap on the extra point went high and the Rams scrambled to turn it into 2 points but failed.

Manu Rasmussen scored on the ensuing series for Tigard, Central Catholic made a Field Goal and the last second on side kick was retained by Tigard.  Game over 43-37 in a thriller that went to Tigard.  They move on to face Lake Oswego next week in the Final Four for a shot at the Championship on December 8th.

Zach was seen helping up an opposing player out on the field towards the end of the game.  People marveled at that but he said it was all part of his game.

"I was leaving everything I had out there and I was sure not going to show anyone I was tired," he said laughing.

Out there in the rain at Hillsboro stadium the young man was miraculous to watch.  He is fast, he has terrific balance and footwork, he takes a pounding, but more then any of that he simply refuses to lose.  Zach was hit again and again by Division 1 talent like Xavier Griggs (6'1"-220 Pound LB) and 5'11"-205 Pound BYU Commit Dallin Leavitt and a host of other like Beau Duronslett.  But he refused to go down.

This is why this guy is the recruit colleges need and should want.  Of all the guys they can pick from when burning the last few scholarships up they have to pick wisely.  Well in Oregon and Washington this is the prize.  You get this guy to come your way and you have a two way threat who will give him life to your program and there will be no 1/2 speed. He is all in all the time.  And he has proven to be the best against a robust schedule or 6 A Top Tier Teams in Oregon.  

Look at what you College programs could land here too!

2012 Stats

Rushing So Far-  1,923 Yards

24 Rushing TD's'

11 Yards Per Carry

8-11 Passing for 147 yards and 5 TD's

144 Yards receiving and 2 more TD's

28.8 Average Yards Per Catch

He plays defense too- no stats available

Was he beat up after the game?  Can he do it again against Lake Oswego who will certainly bring all they have at him?

"Yes.  I got more left in me.  One more day to rest up and I will be ready to go again," he offered smoothly.  "I think Kaz and Benny will be back but I still figure I will get most of the carries.  Man I love that rain too.  It felt good really!"

Wow.  What can you say?  Is there more?

"Yes Dirk I need to say this.  Without our line doing what they are doing and dominating like they are I would not be doing this at all.  And I have to thank and give full credit to AJ Hotchkins at our FB spot who is the best there is.  He blew holes open for me like no one else can.  Those guys deserve all the credit as far as I am concerned."

Now North Dakota of the Big Sky is moving in.  So are several others.  Everyone is starting to hear what a few of us have been preaching.  This guy is the Sleeper Pick Of The Year.  His stats and film and incredible body of work do not lie.  

But that can wait 1 or maybe 2 more weeks.  Zach Floyd says the team believes they have work to do and plan to finish out on top if they can.

Great Team, Great Kid, Great Story!  Best of luck and safe games to all our great Oregon Prep Squads still getting after it!

 

 

 

I am the Founder of the Northwest Prep Report. For 17 years I have led the way to the best of my ability to promote the best talent from the Pacific NW free of charge. It is my pleasure to continue to serve High School athletes from all over the Pacific NW and beyond. Formerly with Rivals.com my sites have now crossed over 8,000 stories, 7 MILLION Video Views, and 15,000 regular followers. Together with the best football people in the USA we pursue excellence for our NW athletes.

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