Wilsonville’s football team has been a 5A powerhouse this season behind quarterback Nathan Overholt, who has thrown 38 touchdown passes.
But with Overholt among 34 seniors on the roster, the Wildcats have a sense of urgency as they prepare for a postseason run.
In 2016, Wilsonville made it to the state championship game but lost to Lebanon. Last year, the team came up short in a semifinal loss to eventual champion Hermiston.
The Wildcats (8-0) – ranked No. 1 in the OSAA power rankings and in the OSAAtoday 5A coaches poll -- believe this season could have a much different ending.
“This year we’re not selling ourselves short, and we’re going to take it one game at a time to achieve our goal of winning state,” senior receiver Isaiah Haqq said.
Wilsonville’s biggest test this season came in its second game against then-No. 1 Churchill. Wildcats supporters packed Randall Stadium for a back-and-forth game that went down to the final seconds.
Wilsonville trailed 50-49 with 8.8 seconds left when Overholt connected for a nine-yard touchdown pass to senior Jonah Gomez, who caught the ball in the end zone after it was deflected by either senior receiver Sam Westing or a defender. The Wildcats won 57-50.
The Wildcats, who finished first in the West division of the Northwest Oregon Conference, will play host to the winner of the East division, second-ranked Pendleton (8-0), for the conference title Friday. It will be a good opportunity to tune up for the playoffs.
“We’re taking every game and practice seriously, and trust that by taking things one day at a time we will reach our goal,” Overholt said.
Said senior linebacker Kalei Kauhi: “I try to get better every day, as well as try to help my teammates out as much as I can.”
Gomez said competitive practices have helped Wilsonville stay sharp despite not playing a close game since the win over Churchill.
“We focus and do well in practice, and hopefully that will carry over into the games and help us play well,” Gomez said. “I go into every game thinking the best of the other team, and that we will have to play tough to beat them.”
The Wildcats are staying humble.
“We seniors are not taking these games for granted as they may be the last football games of our athletic football career,” Gomez said. “I’m going to play every game like it’s my last and try to play my very best.”
As their high school football careers wind down, the players are reflecting on their time at Wilsonville.
“I’ve never felt so grateful to be a part of such a special group of guys,” Haqq said.
Cydney Gutridge is a student at Wilsonville High School
cydneygutridge@gmail.com
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