Baker’s task a tough one

“To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man.” — Ric Flair, 16-time pro wrestling world champion.

With all due respect to Flair, his signature saying also applies to Saturday’s Class 4A state championship football game between Baker and Marist at Reser Stadium in Corvallis.

In this case, Marist is “the man.”

Seventh-ranked Baker (11-1) is playing in its first state football championship game. Top-ranked Marist (13-0) is seeking its fourth title in seven years. This will be Marist’s final game at the 4A level. Next season the Spartans move to the 5A level in the Midwestern League.

Marist is 4-2 in football championship games. The Spartans defeated Sisters 36-28 to win the 2007 4A title. They also won the title in 2003 and 2005.

Baker enters Saturday’s game coming off a 57-14 thumping of Phoenix in the semifinals. The Bulldogs are averaging 36.1 points a game, and allowing 17.3.

Marist enters the title game coming off a 42-7 win over Ontario in the semis. The Spartans boast the most points scored (671) and fewest allowed (119) at the 4A level.

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

“They have several skilled athletes, but by and large they are no different than us. They did beat Central twice this season, which is impressive to me.”

Johnson said the Bulldogs don’t plan any major changes.

“We’re doing some things very well right now,” Johnson said. “We’re getting better on defense. This is a good time for us to peak.

“This will be a great challenge for us. I think we match up well. But, you never know until the gun goes off.”

Baker on special ground

Not only is Saturday’s game Baker’s first trip to the state championship game, it also is a chance for the Bulldogs to set a new school record for wins in a season.

Baker’s current 11-1 record equals its best season record set in 1993 when current athletic director Mike Sullivan led the Bulldogs to the semifinals before falling 35-6 at Sherwood.

This season junior quarterback Jesse Brown has completed 62 percent of his passes for almost 2,600 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Junior tailback Stephen Talbot has run for almost 1,600 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Senior wide out Trace Richardson is the leading receiver with 55 catches for more than 1,130 yards and 10 TDs.

Brown, Talbot, Richardson, tight end Dekker Smith and linemen Kevin Fraser and Bryce Brose were first-team all-Greater Oregon League 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.

Baker’s defense is led by Smith, the Greater Oregon League defensive co-player of the year, 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 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.

Marist runs the table

Marist’s offense is led by Sky-Em offensive player of the year Tevin Cheever and quarterback. The senior has completed 54 percent of his passes for 1,734 yards and 28 touchdowns.

First-team all-league running back Logan Silver anchors the running game with 1,394 yards on 156 carries, and 20 touchdowns.

First-team receiver Jeff Bedbury leads the receivers with 48 catches for 997 yards and 23 TDs.

The offensive line is anchored by first-team guards Cole Richardson and Adam Nasalroad, tackles James Weillbrenner and Matthew Devereux and tight end Mitch Wilson.

The Spartans play a 4-3 defense. Devereux and Richardson are the mainstays of the defensive line. Linebackers Nick Gammie, Will Swindling and Sam Hardin all earned first-team honors.

“They have three or four guys up front who are big and move well,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the game will probably boil down to who makes the fewest turnovers.

“That and composure,” he said. “After the semis, the big show probably won’t cause quite as many nerves.”

Bulldog support

Johnson said Baker fans have been a major support system for the Bulldogs.

“All that stomping on the bleachers, yelling, supporting the kids. It’s great for our kids,” he said.

The Baker coach said he expects a large contingent of fans to be at Reser Stadium Saturday.

“Just tell the last person out of town to turn the lights off,” he said.

Going to the big game Saturday? Brace for freezing rain, snow

Temperatures in Corvallis on Saturday will be balmy compared with what Baker residents have endured this week.

But freezing rain might offset the thermal advantage.

Driving across the state looks like a dicey proposition, as well.

The state championship game kicks off at 11 a.m. at Reser Stadium.

The forecast for Corvallis:

• Friday night: Snow and sleet likely, changing to freezing rain after midnight. Little or no snow accumulation. Low temperature around 25.

• Saturday morning: Freezing rain early, changing to rain. High temperature around 35.

• Saturday night/Sunday: Rain likely. Low around 35, high Saturday 40-45.

However, thaws in the Willamette Valley after a cold snap almost always happen slower than forecasters expect, so it’s quite possible that the freezing rain or sleet will persist through the championship game.

Reser Stadium’s playing surface is field turf, an artificial grass that can get slippery when it’s wet (or slathered with ice).

Weather, Road Conditions

CORVALLIS WEATHER:

www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/

ROAD REPORT:

www.tripcheck.com

Cell phone: 511