Nyssa Bulldogs ram Regis

Ray Rodriguez | Argus Observer Nyssa’s Jake May runs the ball while Regis’ Dylan Wells moves in for the tackle during Saturday’s 3A state semifinals game in Gresham. Nyssa won the game 27-20, sending the Bulldogs to their second straight state championship, which will be played Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

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“I knew we could play well, I expected us to play well,” Nyssa head coach Rob Kassebaum said. “I’m just relieved that all of the hard work and preparation paid off.”

In the second half, the Rams dominated the time of possession clock, outgained Nyssa 178-46 and held the Bulldogs to two first downs.

The Rams didn’t help themselves, however, as they committed two back-breaking turnovers for a loss of downs to spoil any comeback bid.

With 5:42 left in the game, the Bulldogs started a drive on their own 40-yard line and went on an 11-play, 40-yard drive, chewing up 5:14 of the clock.

On that drive, the Bulldogs were faced with a fourth down-and-9 situation, when they lined up for the punt. Instead of punting, Jensen picked a direct snap and threw a perfect pass to a wide- open Jake May, gaining 15 yards and another set of downs.

Four plays later, on fourth-and-inches, Jake May was stuffed at the line, giving Regis the ball on its own 20-yard-line with 28 seconds left on the clock.

After a successful 22-yard pass play, the Rams fizzled on their next three plays.

A pass interference call on Nyssa’s Anthony Holcomb gave Regis another shot to tie the game, but May intercepted the pass and sent his team to the sideline in a frenzy, having secured the win.

“We thought we dominated in the second half,” Regis head coach Ron Suelzle said. “But Nyssa’s been famous for getting the big lead and then holding on. That’s exactly what they did today.”

In the first half, Regis opened the scoring after Holcomb fumbled, and the Rams finished the drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Brett Woodley to Derek Piete.

Nyssa answered right back with a score after Jensen threw a 38-yard touchdown to Logan Skeen to tie the game at 7-7.

On the Rams’ next possession, Dylan Wells got an option pitch from Woodley and scampered 65 yards to the house, giving the Rams their last lead of the game.

Jensen then answered with touchdown passes of 12 and 64 yards to give the Bulldogs a 20-13 lead with 10:17 left in the second quarter.

With 5:24 left in the second stanza, the Bulldogs scored their last points for the game on a 2-yard touchdown reception by Paul Jones.

The Bulldogs had another opportunity to score before the half but couldn’t punch it through. The score was 27-13 at the half, before the Rams added a fourth quarter touchdown by Tony Menk with 5:50 left in the game.

In their loss, the Rams gave up their most points in a game all season since their 21-20 loss to Dayton Sept. 1.

“I’ve got to hand it to our coaches and our team,” Jones said. “They did a wonderful job. Coaches prepared us very well on the line. Linemen stepped up and did well. They opened up huge holes. The receivers, everybody, and Mark Jensen had a stellar game. He took the lead, did very well. It was just a team effort.”

Entering Saturday’s matchup the Rams had shut out six opponents, with the defensive line wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks.

Not on Saturday, however.

Jensen was sacked only twice on the day, and the Bulldog offensive line kept Regis’ defensive linemen Eric Derschon and Mike Lulay in check.

“Our offensive line stepped up,” Jensen said. “They kept the guys’ arms down so I could see the receivers, and the receivers were running great routes. We worked on passing the ball all week long, attacking the middle and that’s what we did. It worked out great.”

Holcomb finished with 117 yards receiving, and May had 16 yards rushing in the second half.

For Regis, Wells led the way with 122 yards on 15 carries, but only 35 came in the second half.

“Nyssa stepped up and made the stops when they needed to,” Suelzle said.