High school football playoffs: Sheldon, Thurston gear up for state semifinal games

The Sheldon football team will play in its first state semifinal game in four years on Friday when the Irish face No. 3 Tualatin at McNary High School with a chance to punch their ticket to the OSAA Class 6A state championship.

"For us to actually have a chance to play in an actual neutral site is pretty exciting, Sheldon head coach Josh Line said. "We've played at McNary this year, so we're excited."

Among the Irish's deep roster is senior quarterback Brock Thomas, who has four college offers including Portland State, according to 247Sports.

"I watch him work hard every day, so I'm not surprised," Line said about Thomas's growth since his freshman year. "He's grown leaps and bounds in his ability to lead the team, and with his voice."

Led by head coach Dominic Ferraro, Tualatin is 9-2 heading into Friday night's 7:30 p.m. game.

Thurston ready for rematch with Summit

The Thurston football team will put everything on the line when the Colts take on No. 1 Summit in a 5A state semifinal game at Willamette University on Friday.

When the Colts kickoff at 7 p.m., head coach Justin Starck will get a chance to return to his hometown roots in Salem.

"Through my parents my step-grandfather, Charles Bowles, was the track coach for years," Starck said.

Thurston can't afford to dilly-dally in order to defeat Summit - one of two teams they lost to earlier in the season.

"We have grown so much since those first two games and over the course of the season," Starck said. "... We didn't have them fully prepared the first time we faced Summit, and we are a lot more confident now, and doing different things. We've really progressed, so we're excited to have another chance to play."

Three players oozing confidence this season for the Colts are senior running backs Darien Witham, Vaun Halstead and Will Dau.

"I've always felt that depth of the running back position is very important," Starck said. "We have been very fortunate to have three that have provided us with depth."

With the depth of the offense, Starck said in order to defeat Summit, the team will have to avoid big loss yardage plays, sacks and tackles for loss.

"We put ourselves in long yardage situations against their defense," he said. "It's very difficult because they have some tremendous pass rushers. It's hard to throw the ball and get those first downs when they can pin their ears back and come after your quarterback."

Triangle Lake prepares for state title game

Triangle Lake will face Spray/Mitchell/Wheeler on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Caldera High School in Bend for a chance at the state title for 1A 6-player football.

Triangle Lake beat South Wasco County 46-20 in the semifinals last Saturday.

Statesman Journal reporter Pete Martini contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Sheldon, Thurston football set to play in state semifinal games