A crowd of over 4800 people at McMinnville’s Linfield College were treated to a final dose of Oregon high school football before summer breaks into full force. Team Columbia jumped out to a big 28-0 lead, and cruised in with the 28-9 victory Saturday in the 74th edition of the Les Schwab Bowl.
The teams were drafted by coaches in the weeks leading up to the game itself—and local players Zach Dodson-Greene (West Salem), TC Manumaleuna (North Salem) and Zach Wusstig (Jefferson/South Salem transfer) made positive appearances.
Dodson-Greene played a key role in Columbia’s opening drive, snagging a 17 yard reception from starting quarterback Cru Newman of Central Catholic on a third and 15 play near midfield. Dodson-Greene finished with three catches for 28 yards. Manumaleuna came on in relief at quarterback, and the North Salem Viking junior-to-be completed 3 of 8 passes for 37 yards, while enduring a pair of sacks. Wusstig—heading to South Salem for his senior year—was the second leading tackler for Willamette, with six total tackles and two tackles-for-loss.
Silverton products Sam Willis and Vandon Fessler both made appearances for Team Willamette. Willis recorded a pair of tackles defensively, while Fessler had one pass catch for five yards.
Coquille High School’s Gunner Yates topped the victorious Columbia offense with a TD run of 52 yards and a 59 yard scoring pass from Newman. Yates rushed for 72 yards on five carries. Lake Oswego’s Gabe Olvera topped all Columbia rushers with 101 yards on 15 carries.
Quarterback Hiro Diamond of Hillsboro’s Liberty High School led Team Willamette offensively, completing 9 of 14 passes for 114 yards and a 15 yard touchdown pass to Tualatin’s Kellen Hale.
The game took just over three hours to complete at Linfield’s Maxwell Field.
For the complete game stats, click here.