LAKE OSWEGO – On a night when its explosive offense struggled to find a flow, No. 1 Lake Oswego showed that it can win with defense.
The host Lakers mustered only 208 total yards against No. 3 Central Catholic, but turned two interceptions into touchdowns to win 21-0 in a 6A football nonleague game, becoming the first Oregon team to shut out the Rams in eight years.
“We went into this game knowing it was going to be a good team,” Lake Oswego senior running back LaMarcus Bell said. “We didn't expect a high-scoring blowout game. But we wanted a donut, and we got that donut.”
The Lakers (3-0), who won their first two games by a combined score of 91-10, knew the Rams would be looking to make up for a 33-24 loss to Lake Oswego in the 6A Open semifinals last season.
“So far, it was our biggest game,” said Lakers senior linebacker and tight end Sam Vyhlidal, who had a sack. “We had to prepare a lot this week. We knew coming into it that it was going to be the hardest game we've played so far. It was going to show us our character, how we are as a team. And it's looking good so far.”
The Utah-bound Bell didn't break any long runs, finishing with 87 yards on 15 carries. But he scored on a two-yard run in the first quarter and a one-yard run in the second quarter, the latter set up by Bell's interception of Central Catholic senior quarterback Robbie Long at the Rams' 40-yard line.
Up 14-0 at half, the Lakers delivered a gut punch early in the third quarter when senior cornerback Jalen Bauman returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown. Bauman weaved through the Rams as he crisscrossed the field to make it 21-0.
Bauman's play quickly turned the tables after Central Catholic had gained momentum by forcing the Lakers into a three-and-out to start the second half.
“Our mindset at halftime was, 'We have the ball to start the third quarter, we've got to score here and shut the game up,'” Lakers senior quarterback Hudson Kurland said. “We didn't do that, but the defense just got it for us. That was just a momentum shift.”
Central Catholic had not been blanked by an Oregon team since losing 40-0 at Clackamas in 2017. The Rams' last shutout was a 49-0 defeat to St. John Bosco (Calif.) in 2022.
Central Catholic drove to Lake Oswego's 20-yard line in the first quarter and reached the 7-yard line in the final seconds of the first half but the Lakers turned them away both times. On the final play of the first half – from the 12-yard line – Long's pass into the end zone was knocked away.
In the second half, the Rams' could get no deeper than the Lake Oswego 35.
“The defense showed out tonight,” Vyhlidal said. “It was a big win for the defense. Also, just a big win for the team. We worked all week on what they've got, and we executed.”
Central Catholic (1-1), which opened the season last week with a 36-22 win at Central Catholic of Modesto, Calif., finished with 224 yards. Long completed 10 of 20 passes for 112 yards with two interceptions. Senior Killian Sombe rushed for a team-high 49 yards on 17 carries.
The Rams were plagued by penalties and often found themselves scrambling to get organized, up against the play clock.
“I think we came in a little unprepared,” senior running back and defensive back Cole Thomas said. “It's a crazy atmosphere here. I think we've got some young guys that got in their head a little bit. They're getting their first varsity reps in Week 2. Start of the season, we just need to get our heads right, get in the playbook a little bit, watch some film.”
It didn't help that the Rams were banged up. They were without their top receiver in senior Dayvion Curtis, who sprained his ankle in the opener. Senior running back Tyson Davis (two carries, four yards) was limited due to a sprained ankle and Thomas played while wearing a shoulder brace.
Still, Central Catholic held its own for much of the game.
“I think we did a good job on defense,” Thomas said. “I know our offense is going to pick it up. I know we've got one of the best skill groups in the state. It's just going to take some time.”
Lake Oswego rushed for 140 of its 208 yards. Kurland completed 7 of 10 passes for 68 yards and senior Justin Craigwell complemented Bell by rushing for 60 yards on eight carries.
jerryu@osaa.org
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