Baker hosts Astoria in 4A quarterfinals

The Class 4A seventh-ranked Bulldogs will host the third-ranked and defending 4A champion Fishermen at 1 p.m. in a quarterfinal football contest.

The teams have met twice before with each winning once. Baker won 28-6 in 1993, and Astoria 47-6 in 1998.

“Astoria is a good football team,” said Baker coach Dave Johnson.

“It will be a great game. It’s nice to be able to play at home. It should be a nice afternoon of football.”

Baker enters the game coming off a 23-16 win at Stayton last Saturday. In that game, the Bulldogs came from behind in the second half to improve their record to 9-1.

“The kids kept their composure and played with great determination and poise,” Johnson said.

Baker’s defense is led by Greater Oregon League co-player of the year Dekker Smith at linebacker.

Smith, defensive back Ty Everson and linemen Joe Black and Alex Bardizian were named to the GOL first team.

Linebacker Colton Flynn and defensive backs Trace Richardson and Brandon Dolby were named to the all-league second team.

Linebackers Colten Richards and Will Barr and linemen Trenton Howard and Austin Villalobos received honorable mention.

“We’re going to be prepared defensively for what they do,” said Jason Ramos, Baker’s defensive coordinator.

“We just have to be in the right spots and make the plays. We have to make them earn everything they get.”

Offensively, seven Bulldogs were named to the GOL first team.

Quarterback Jesse Brown, running back/punter Stephen Talbot, Richardson at receiver, Smith at tight end and linemen Kevin Fraser and Bryce Brose were first-team picks.

Named to the second team was lineman Chris Brown.

Receiving honorable mention were linemen Mark Swiger and Weston Anderson, receiver Justin Durflinger, Barr at tight end, and receiver Luke Austin.

Brown has completed 62 percent of his passes for more than 2,100 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Talbot has run for almost 1,200 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Richardson is the leading receiver with 49 catches for almost 970 yards and seven TDs.

“We’re glad we’re playing at home,” Johnson said. “Everybody’s healthy.

“Ball control will be the big issue,” the Baker coach said. “I think the team that plays with the greatest amount of composure will win.”

Astoria on a roll

Astoria advanced to the quarterfinals by burying Pleasant Hill 56-7 Saturday.

Dane Lund led the Fishermen with 165 yards on 15 carries. He scored two rushing touchdowns and returned a fumble for another TD.

Alex Eterno caught six passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns.

Lund has been named Cowapa co-offensive player of the year and is a first team all-league running back and defensive back.

Eterno was a first-team wide receiver.

Split end Marcus Brown, tackle/linebacker Jacob Hatcher, guard Zach Dursse, center Keifer Lucore, place kicker Max Johnson, defensive linemen Chance Banta ad Garrett Puckett, and defensive back Jake Davis also were first team Cowapa performers.

Lund leads the Fishermen in rushing with 910 yards on 97 carries. He has scored nine touchdowns.

Quarterback Jacob Davis has completed 50 percent of his passes for 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also has run for 615 yards and eight TDs.

“Lund runs hard, and their quarterback runs well too. They run a pretty balanced offensive attack,” Johnson said.

Brown is Davis’ favorite target, catching 21 balls for 294 yards and four scores.

Astoria is averaging 36.5 points a game, and allowing just 11.6 a game. The Fishermen have allowed just 19 points in the first half all season.

“They close on the ball real well,” Johnson said. “They’re certainly one of the best teams we’ve faced this year. And, we think we’re one of the best teams they’ve faced as well.”

Familiar faces

If the Fishermen players sound familiar maybe it’s because Baker and Astoria met for the Class 4A state baseball championship last spring.

Lund was the starting catcher on that team. Johnson was the Astoria closer, and Brown and Ian Erickson were starting infielders.