The two-decade drought is over.
Sandy flexed its defensive muscle and Leithan Thompson scored two touchdowns as the Pioneers defeated the Barlow Bruins 14-7 Friday night at Sandy High School.
It was Sandy’s first win over Barlow in 21 years.
The game was a nightmare for offenses nearly all night, as defensive fronts bottled up running lanes and both sides neutralized big plays. The teams combined for just 154 rushing yards in the game and one score through three quarters.
And that score, a 9-yard touchdown pass from Sandy quarterback Teague Clemmer to Thompson with 3:06 left in the first half, fittingly was followed with a blocked point-after attempt.
Barlow finally ended its scoring drought with 7:04 let in the game, when quarterback Gavin Dow tossed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Cole Gallant on 4th-and-14. The extra point gave Barlow a 7-6 lead.
But it lasted all of two plays. On the first snap of Sandy’s ensuing drive, Clemmer rolled right out of the pocket and connected with Thompson for an 83-yard touchdown pass down the sideline. Clemmer’s 2-point conversion run gave Sandy a 14-7 lead with 6:44 left.
Barlow threatened late, driving into Sandy territory. But when Thompson darted over the middle to snag an interception near the 20-yard line with 1:30 left, the Pioneers (3-0) ended 21 years of futility against the Bruins (3-1).
Thompson finished with four receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to the game-sealing interception, and Clemmer completed 12 of 23 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. But it was the Pioneers’ defense that ruled the day, holding prolific running back Jake Fey to just 65 rushing yards and Barlow to one score.
-- The Oregonian/OregonLive Staff
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