Cade Knighton returns to familiar turf to lead No. 8 Central Catholic past Oregon City 42-35

  • 10/12 - 7:00 PM FootballFinal
    Central Catholic 42
    Oregon City 35
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OREGON CITY -- On homecoming night for Oregon City, Central Catholic's Cade Knighton had his own personal homecoming. He could even smell it.

"I actually smelled the elephant ears, which I've always smelled since I was in like the third grade, watching the big boys and stuff," the sophomore quarterback said.

Knighton, whose sisters and brother were standouts on Oregon City sports teams, absorbed the hometown atmosphere while leading the eighth-ranked Rams to a 42-35 win over the Pioneers in a key Mt. Hood Conference football game.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Knighton completed 12 of 24 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns – three to senior Korbin Williams -- for Central Catholic (5-2, 4-1), which built a 28-7 halftime lead and held off the determined Pioneers (5-2, 4-1) to hand them their first conference loss.

"One of the things I miss most about Oregon City is just the camaraderie on Friday nights, when the whole city shuts down and everybody's out here supporting the team," Knighton said. "Having this feeling back, reminiscing about youth days, it's truly a blessing. In all honesty, I couldn't ask for a better night."

The win not only keeps the Rams' hopes alive for at least a share of the Mt. Hood title for the 10th year in a row, but it gives them a jolt of confidence as they continue to rebound from a stunning 40-0 loss to No. 2 Clackamas on Sept. 22. Oregon City had won five in a row and presented the first serious challenge since that defeat.

"This is a statement game, to show everybody that we're still here, and we're coming," said senior linebacker Eli'Jah Winston, who played for the first time after missing a month with plantar fasciitis.

Since losing to Clackamas, Knighton said the Rams pinpointed the Oregon City game as a barometer.

"We're an incredibly talented football team, but each week we come closer as a team," said Knighton, who has thrown 10 touchdown passes in the last three games. "When you mix talent, coaching and just that unbreakable bond, I think we can beat anybody in the state. Nobody should ever write us off. We're still an elite team, and I think we proved it tonight."

Added Rams coach Steve Pyne: "I'm proud of the way we're progressing. We've still got a long way to go to be in the conversation at the end of the year."

The Rams amassed 559 total yards. Sophomore Elijah Elliott rushed for 162 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries and sophomore Miles Jackson rushed for 120 yards and one score on 16 carries as the Rams ran for 342 yards.

The teams traded touchdowns on their first possessions, but Central Catholic broke away with three touchdowns in the second quarter. The Rams got three fumble recoveries near midfield in the second quarter – two by Winston and one by senior linebacker Malakai Salu – and turned two of them into touchdowns.

Knighton threw for three of his scores in the second quarter, finding Williams for 30 yards, sophomore Silas Starr for 38 yards and Williams for 14 yards, the latter with six seconds left in the half.

The 6-2, 175-pound Williams added a 38-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter and finished with four catches for 127 yards.

"He's one of the best leaders on the team," Knighton said of Williams. "Him being a track star, having that speed running down the field is obviously an advantage."

Down 28-7, Oregon City came out swinging in the third quarter. Senior Teron Bradford caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from senior Austin Bonner and scored on five-yard, end-around run. The Rams answered both times, though, to keep the Pioneers at bay.

Bradford caught a six-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, and when Oregon City senior safety Jayden Shaffer returned a tipped pass 55 yards for a score, the Pioneers were within 42-35 with 6:26 left.

Oregon City stopped Central Catholic on fourth-and-two to take over at its own 43 with 3:28 remaining. But on fourth-and-two at the Central Catholic 49, the Rams stuffed junior running back Zakhayas Dennis-Lee for no gain to get the ball back. They ran out the last 1:59.

The Pioneers, who must win at Clackamas next week to have a shot at the Mt. Hood title, were left to lament their turnovers.

"We gave them opportunities that they didn't need. They're good enough on their own," Oregon City coach Dustin Janz said. "I really wish we had that first half back, and held on to the ball a little better, but other than that, I'm proud of our boys. They played their hearts out. That's all I can ask of them."

The Pioneers gained 386 yards. Bradford had nine catches for 117 yards and two scores to go with his five-yard touchdown run. Bonner completed 15 of 23 passes for 181 yards and ran for 62 yards on 16 carries. Dennis-Lee rushed for 69 yards on nine carries and senior Ethan Kassebaum rushed for 65 yards on 16 carries.

Central Catholic relished the return of the highly recruited Winston (6-2, 230). He said he cried from not being able to help in the Clackamas game and was eager to make an impact Thursday.

"At the beginning of the game, the coaches told me I was only going to go in on crucial downs," Winston said. "So I went in on crucial downs and I made plays, because I was like, 'There's no way in heaven that I'm only going to go in on these crucial downs. I want to play the whole game.' My foot has been buggin' a little bit, but I fought through because that's what football is about."

Pyne said of Winston: "Hopefully this gave him a little confidence going forward that he can play a little bit."

The game also marked the 150th career win for Pyne. He went 21-17 in four seasons at Wilson before taking over at Central Catholic, where he is 129-43 in 15 seasons.

"I told them before the game, 'I don't ask a lot from you guys, but I'd love to get my 150th tonight,'" Pyne said. "We'll sign the ball on Monday at practice."

-- Jerry Ulmer

julmer@oregonian.com
503-816-7323
@jerryulmer

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