Story Photos
 Rainier’s Andrew Allen breaks away from Vale’s David Lemer for 46-yard touchdown in Rainier’s Oregon 3A state playoff game against the Vale Saturday afternoon at Rainier High School’s Chris Corl Field. (Photo by Greg Ebersole / The Daily News)
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Allen helps Rainier vanquish Vale in state opener
Saturday, November 8, 2008 11:38 PM PST
By Janine Manny
For The Daily News
Printable version
E-mail this articleRAINIER — Vale’s attempts to tie up fullback Andrew Allen — Rainier’s Mr. 2,000 — didn’t stop the Columbians from cruising to a 34-6 victory Saturday in a first-round Oregon 3A state football playoff game at Chris Corl Field.
Instead of getting muddy in the trenches in the first quarter, Rainier quarterback Riley Tripp surprised the Vikings by taking to the air and completing a 13-yard touchdown toss to Kyle Palmer and a 10-yard TD pass to Dalton Earlywine for an early 14-0 lead.
And while Vale tried to put obstacles — such as four or five bodies at a time — in Allen’s way, the big senior running back carried the ball 23 times for 203 yards with TD gallops of 46 and 55 yards in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Allen rushed for 2,092 yards in the regular season as Rainier finished undefeated in the Lewis and Clark 3A League.
The win Saturday against the Vikings may get the Columbians (10-1) a little more respect in Oregon. Vale’s trip to Rainier was its 42nd state playoff appearance, the most of any team in the state for Class 3A. The Vikings have won 10 state championships, finished second three times and played in the semifinals 22 times, dating back to 1954.
Rainier will host Cascade Christian of Jacksonville, Ore., (near Medford) Saturday in the second round of playoffs.
“This is a huge win for our program,” Rainier head coach Thor Ware said. “Vale has a great football tradition and we’re just getting started. But Rainier is a force — count on us.”
Vale had the first possession of the game and quickly faced third-and-15. Viking quarterback Bryant Haueter went deep, and Rainier senior defensive back Jacob Drabandt, hanging out in center field, came away with the interception.
Several runs by Earlywine helped Rainier drive the ball to Vale’s 12-yard line. A penalty against the Columbians pushed the ball back to the 17, and Tripp connected with Daryl Paddock for a TD pass that was called back because of an offsides penalty.
With the ball back at the 22-yard line, Earlywine broke for a 9-yard gain, setting up Tripp’s 13-yard scoring pass to Palmer.
With 3:30 left in the first half, a drive by Vale stalled with a fourth-and-goal at the 6-yard line, and Viking kicker Vegard Fredriksen attempted a 22-yard field goal. The low boot hit one of his own players in the back, and the loose ball was recovered by Rainier.
However, the referees inadvertently whistled the play dead, and awarded the ball back to Vale to replay fourth down. With a second try, Haueter connected with Russ Seals for Vale’s only score of the game and a 14-6 deficit at the half.
In the third quarter, Haueter fumbled three bad snaps and was sacked by both Allen and Palmer. Haueter was hit for losses of 7, 6 and 12 yards.
With less than four minutes left in the period, Tripp jumped over a pile of tangled defenders and emerged with a 48-yard keeper that gave the Columbians a first down at the 15. Allen took direct snaps for gains of 5 and 2 yards, and Earlywine took a snap and ran in for a 7-yard TD. A two-point conversion by Allen gave Rainier a 22-6 lead.
In the fourth quarter, the Columbians continued using their “diesel” offense that the Vikings had expected to see earlier, with Allen, Tripp and Earlywine taking the snaps, leading to Allen’s 46- and 55-yard scores.
“In the first quarter, Vale had eight men in the box to stop the inside run,” Allen said. “We switched it up, and when Vale had to defend the swing, it opened things up so I could run. When we ran the diesel, the offensive line stepped up big time to get me room to run.”
Allen said the victory over the Vikings — who defeated Clatskanie in last year’s state semifinals — should open eyes around the state.
“Last year, people said we were lucky (to make the playoffs),” Allen said. “But Vale is a powerhouse, and we’ve opened the door to our future. This win was big for us and big for the community.”
Ware said Allen did a great job of running and Tripp had a good game at quarterback.
“Our offensive line was fantastic,” Ware said. “I’m proud of our guys. We had a great game plan and we executed.”
Columbians 34, Vikings 6
Vale 0 6 0 0 — 6
Rainier 14 0 8 12 — 34
Rain — Kyle Palmer 13 pass from Riley Tripp (run failed)
Rain — Dalton Earlywine 10 pass from Tripp (Andrew Allen run)
Vale — Russ Seals 6 pass from Bryant Haueter (kick failed)
Rain — Earlywine 7 run (Allen run)
Rain — Allen 46 run (run failed)
Rain — Allen 55 run (run failed)
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