Diehard Jock: Year of the Tiger?

By Scott Ford
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 10:24 AM PST

Argus Observer file photo Josh Mejia (12) and the Tigers will face their toughest competition of the season Saturday when they take to the field against the No. 1-ranked Marist Spartans in the Oregon 4A semifinal match up at Liberty High School in Hillsboro.

The year of the Tiger, according to the Chinese zodiak is not until 2010, but if you were to ask any of the Ontario Tigers, they would tell you this is the year of the Tiger.

Ontario has proven to be one of the best teams in the state at the 4A level and one of the better teams in the area.

Fruitland, Payette, Weiser and Vale  can all make that same statement, as they have all had great runs in 2009.

Parma, however, is the only team, to this point, that can back it up as it recently won its second straight title.

So how about those Tigers? Can they make it all the way?

ADVERTISEMENT

Saturday will be the big test when they travel to Hillsboro to take on the No. 1-ranked Marist Spartans for a 1 p.m. kick-off.

Back to the Tigers and the Chinese zodiak.

The Tiger is said to be lucky, vivid, lively and engaging. Another attribute of the tiger is his incredible bravery, evidenced in his willingness to engage in battle or his undying courage, according to the Chinese.

But has this ancient description of the Tiger been the key to the Ontario Tigers’ success in 2009?

It’s possible.

Ontario, for the most part, has eluded any major injury this season. Its bravery has been evident all season long as it has not backed down from any team and the courage shown on the field is second to none.

Following the opening day loss to Pendleton, the Tigers have dialed in their focus and have not faltered once.

With key wins over Vale, Weiser and Baker — all of which are semifinalist teams in their respective classifications, the Tigers are poised to give the Spartans a run for their money.

So who are these Spartans that have earned the No. 1 ranking in Oregon’s 4A class.

The Spartans hail from the Sky-Em league, where they swept the competition and finished the season perfect.

The Tigers and Spartans do have one common opponent this year in Sutherlin.

Ontario is coming off a 35-16 win over the Bulldogs, and Marist beat them 43-15 in the third week of the season.

Marist has reached the semifinals by knocking out Cascade, 62-0, in their first game of the playoffs. Then last week they defeated Central, 30-22.

Ontario’s road to the semifinals had the Tigers at home for their first game, where they took care of Banks 55-42 — a game that was not as close as the score indicates. Ontario dominated the Braves for the most of the game.

Then, in the quarterfinals, Ontario defeated Sutherlin on the road.

Saturday’s semifinal game, in all reality, could and should be the championship game, but that is not how the brackets panned out, and these two high-power gridiron machines will face off in the semis instead with the winner playing for the title against the Baker/Phoenix winner.

Is it possible for an all-GOL final?

Baker has a date with the Phoenix Pirates (8-2), a team that has won six straight games and reached the semifinals by defeating Junction City, 14-8, and Sweet Home, 31-10.

Baker won it first playoff game against Stayton, 23-16, then took care of Astoria last week 21-14.

I like Baker in this game by a couple of touchdowns — 28-14.

Now back to the big game.

Can Ontario win?

Well, the Tigers have the tools to win.

They have the experience to win, with 28 seniors on board, and they have the coaching staff to win.

Marist will have its hands ful as they will have to stop multiple players on Ontario that pose a threat to score.

Ask Sutherlin and Banks they will confirm that.

Marist has some talent of its own that Ontario will have to contain.

Spartan quarterback, Tevin Cheever has tossed 23 touchdowns and has compiled 1,549 passing yards while only being picked off six times.

On the ground the Spartans have Logan Silver, who has rushed for 1,306 yards and 20 scores to give Marist a balanced attack.

Still, Ontario has more weapons at its disposal and this team is better than the 2007 team that lost to Sisters 50-49 in the semifinals —Ontario 35, Marist 27.

Scott Ford is the sports editor for the Argus Observer. He can be contacted at scottf@argusobserver.com. Want to comment on this story? Go online to www.argusobserver.com and check out our blogs. The views and opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the Argus Observer.