HERMISTON – A good state championship game, like a good Superbowl, should have it all. Fans on both sides should experience periods of exuberance followed by bouts of extreme sadness. There needs to exist a questionable call, a comeback and a last minute hero or heroes.
Like a good Superbowl, the 1A championship game pitting Adrian/Jordan Valley against top ranked St. Paul lived up to the hype. Taking it down to the final two minutes, the Antelopes swarmed the field to grab the state title trophy with a 38-32 victory.
This was a true back and forth adventure. The Buckaroos took an early 8-0 lead on the team’s first possession of the game, the lone score of the first quarter.
The Lopes hit the scoreboard in the second quarter, marching 80 yards in eight plays capped off by a 4-yard run by Conley Martin. With the point after unsuccessful, St. Paul led 8-6.
On the ensuing kickoff, an official’s call quickly became the talk of the half. Gianni Grasso, taking the kick, appeared to be down. As players from both teams appeared to be leaving the field, Grasso, urged on by his coaching staff, popped up and ran into the end zone. With a score signaled, officials gathered at the end zone to discuss the play. After a considerable amount of time, the call for the touchdown was upheld and the Buckaroos led 14-6.
Shaking off the call, the Antelopes were able to knot up the score at 14 off a 23-yard rush by Conley Martin.
Starting the second half, the Antelopes looked to lead for the first time, marching down the field. A fumble recovered by the Buckaroos stalled the drive and St. Paul again grabbed the lead off a 11-yard run by TJ Crawford.
It was again Conley Martin to pull Adrian/Jordan Valley back to within striking distance with a 10-yard rush for a TD putting the score at 26-22.
Early in the fourth, the Buckaroos made it a 10-point lead with a 3-yard run. The Lopes responded with a 11 play drive covering 67 yard to pull with two points at 32-22.
After a Buckaroos punt, the drama unfolded. With 1 minute, 53 seconds on the game clock and the Antelope fans nervous, Conley Martin connected with Michael Babcock on an 80-yard pass play to give Adrian/Jordan Valley the team’s first and last needed lead of the game.
St. Paul, unable to connect on three passes, turned the ball back to the Lopes for a kneel down victory and a state title.
“I am just so proud of this team,” said Adrian/Jordan Valley head coach Bill Wortman just minutes after his team received the 1A trophy in the middle of the field. “This is just amazing.”
“That was a heck of a play,” Wortman said when asked about the Antelope’s passing play for the win. “When I saw Michael open over the middle, I knew Conley could hit him and he did. It was a perfect throw.”
The Lopes outgained the Buckaroos in the game, 523 to 347. Conley Martin, named player of the game, was 13-for-22 passing for 237 yards and also rushed for 201 yards. Babcock had three catches for 103 yards and one very important score, his final one. Wade Bond finished the game with seven catches for 106 yards.
Kort Skinner led the defense for Adrian/Jordan Valley, putting up 12 tackles. Martin finished with 11 tackles while Clay Ready added eight tackles.
After the trophy presentation was completed, the players were joined by family members and fans outside the locker room area.
“This was a pretty amazing season,” said assistant coach Bryce Kershner. “We knew we could get this far and we did.”
What this team accomplished is truly extraordinary. This combined team practiced both in Adrian and Jordan Valley and many times during the week, each at their own school, coming together sometimes only once or twice a week. Combining coaching staff, players and fans, the two towns sat next to each other both during the regular season and during the playoffs.
Congratulations to the Antelopes and to both Adrian and Jordan Valley.
Related: Adrian/Jordan Valley v St. Paul Gallery 1
Related Adrian/Jordan Valley v St. Paul Gallery 2
