Bulldogs meet Phoenix in semis

The Class 4A seventh-ranked Bulldogs (10-1) will meet the unranked Pirates (8-2) in a 4A semifinal contest at 4 p.m.

Sixth-ranked Ontario meets top-ranked Marist in the other semifinal at noon. The winners of Saturday’s games meet Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. at Reser Stadium in Corvallis for the 4A title.

This is Baker’s fifth trip to the semifinals. Baker’s last semifinal visit came in 2006, a 26-7 loss to Sisters. The Bulldogs other semifinal games were in 1988 (lost to Philomath), 1993 (lost to Sherwood), and 2002 (lost to Ontario).

Phoenix’s last semifinal appearance was in 2005, a 54-41 loss to Marist. The Pirates have not made the playoffs since 2006.

Baker enters Saturday’s game coming off a 21-14 win over Astoria in a quarterfinal game at Bulldog Memorial Stadium.

Baker is averaging 34.3 points a game, and allowing 17.3.

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

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.

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 61 percent of his passes for more than 2,240 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Talbot has run for almost 1,300 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Richardson is the leading receiver with 52 catches for more than 1,000 yards and eight TDs.

Phoenix on a roll

Phoenix enters the game coming off a 31-10 victory over Sweet Home in the quarterfinals. The Pirates opened the playoffs with a 14-8 win over Junction City to reach the quarterfinals.

“They’re pretty athletic,” Johnson said. “They like to throw the ball all over the place.”

The Pirate offense is led by Skyline offensive player of the year quarterback Chris Kammel. He has completed 54 percent of his passes for 2,297 yards and 17 touchdowns.

He also leads the team in rushing with 552 yards on 122 carries and seven touchdowns.

Against Sweet Home, Kammel was 26-of-42 passing for 331 yards and three touchdowns. All three scores went to Skyler Reagan.

Reagan, Kammel’s favorite target, leads the team in receptions (51), touchdowns (5) and yards (769). Reagan had 14 catches in the quarterfinal contest.

Receiver Justin Bohn also was a first-team all-league pick.

The line is anchored by first-team Skyline pick Kameron Kaufman, and second-team picks Brett Carder and Albert Reynoso.

“They play a 4-3 defense and like to play some man coverage,” Johnson said.

Defensively, the Pirates are led by first-team linemen Brendan Hurd and Joey Arena, Carder and Chad Daniels at linebacker, and Reagan and Bohn at defensive back. Arena is the Skyline League defensive player of the year.

Dalton Richardson, Trace Richardson’s cousin, received all-league honorable mention on the defensive line.