For Sheldon, loss in final can’t break special bond shared by special group of players: ‘I’d do anything for the guys in there, and they’d do the same for me’
By Alex Tam | Photos by Jeff Hinds
HILLSBORO — The faces and emotions told the entire story about how Sheldon felt following its defeat in the Class 6A state championship game Friday night.
Senior quarterback Brock Thomas walked slowly out of the locker room for an interview with many dried tears that had been wiped off his face.
Senior Teitum Tuioti quietly thought out his answers after several hugs and embraces from coaches and family members, while ignoring the rain that was soaking everyone on the field.
Sheldon coach Josh Line was seen kneeling over with his family by his side, knowing full well his team gave it its all and fell just short of the ultimate goal.
The sadness and heartbreak were about more than what the scoreboard read, which was: West Linn 23, Sheldon 14. For the Irish players and coaches, it was about seeing a special season abruptly end for a team that cared so much for each other — and saw it translate to the on-field success that earned them a much-deserved spot in the final game of the year.
“I’m just upset that I can’t play with my boys again,” Thomas said. “I’ll do anything to go out and play four quarters with them again.”
What made this team unique in Thomas’ eyes?
“How much we care about each other,” he said. “We cared so much for each other. I’d do anything for the guys in there, and they’d do the same for me. And the coaches, they were just so great, and I know down the road, the bonds and friendships I made with these guys — it’s special.”
Tuioti, a three-star edge rusher, moved to Eugene in January after his father, Tony Tuioti, was hired by the University of Oregon to be its new defensive line coach.
The younger Tuioti, who committed to the Ducks in July, said he’s going to remember most what happened off the field over any game or win they had. It’s the bonds he created in just a short time, and the memories of the Tuesday and Wednesday night dinners at coaches’ houses and teammates’ homes throughout the season.
He felt a part of a family.
“I’m just grateful for this team,” said Tuioti, who had 44 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown Friday. “Everyone has been so supporting and welcoming. I’m just grateful for my team and all the players on this team to help me through this season.
“I appreciated it a lot. Ever since I moved here in January, everyone has been so welcoming.”
Line, who was making his second state title game appearance as head coach at Sheldon, said he was “just proud” of all his players.
“I love these kids so much,” said Line, who guided the Irish to a runner-up finish in 2018. “We wanted it quite a bit, but it’s not about being deserving. It’s about the breaks. The breaks didn’t go our way tonight. We played a great West Linn team that was well-coached. They did a good job doing what needed to be done.
“It’s just hard, whether you win or lose this game, you’re still going to be emotional. The experience you have here is all very emotional.”
The Irish (12-1), who handed West Linn its lone loss of the season Sept. 8, struggled from the opening kickoff through the entire first half.
After averaging 47.1 points per game during their 12-game win streak, they uncharacteristically were held scoreless and had just 112 yards of offense over the first 24 minutes en route to a 20-0 deficit at halftime.
“We shot ourselves in the foot on the first drive,” Thomas said. “We went down 20-0. That’s pretty tough. We weren’t able to execute and move the ball down field.”
Sheldon’s defense also was not itself after giving up only 6.4 points per game before Friday, including five shutouts.
“It was a tough game,” Line said. “It was a dogfight the first time we played them. It was no different this time. We knew we had to play our best football to be in a position to win. We didn’t do that at the beginning of the game. We got off to a pretty rough start.”
The second half served as a reminder to the Irish why they cruised to a 12-0 record and were one of the favorites to win their fifth state title in football — and their first since 2012. Sheldon scored on its first possession after halftime, using an 11-play, 80-yard drive capped by Tuioti’s one-yard plunge to the end zone to cut the deficit to 20-7 with 7:43 left in the third quarter.
The Irish defense kept West Linn scoreless for six consecutive drives through the early part of the fourth quarter. They crept closer when Thomas broke free through the middle on a 50-yard touchdown run to trim West Linn’s lead to 20-14 with 8:02 remaining.
“We knew we had to come out and make plays to get back into the game,” Thomas said. “We knew we needed a spark from someone. We had a good first drive, went down and pounded it in and scored. The defense got huge stops and I was able to get another one in. That swung the momentum, but we weren’t able to capitalize on it.”
Line said he could sense his team felt “enthusiastic” about pulling off the comeback.
“We really believed we would get a chance to win the game at that point and give us an opportunity,” Line said. “Brock is a great competitor. He never quits and never gives in.”
The Irish, however, could not muster one last punch in their fight to cap a magical season. West Linn extended its lead to 23-14 on Gage Hurych’s 35-yard field goal with 3:44 left, and Sheldon was unable to answer.
On the ensuing drive, Sheldon got a first down after a 15-yard personal foul penalty on West Linn. But the drive stalled after four consecutive incompletions by Thomas.
The Irish got the ball back with 1:54 left, but West Linn’s Hudson Staats intercepted Thomas’ pass to seal the Lions’ win.
Thomas netted 231 yards of offense, including 113 rushing yards on 18 carries. He completed 12 of 30 passes for 118 yards.
Tuioti added two catches for 13 yards. Cade Welch led Sheldon’s receiving corps with five catches for 55 yards, and Luke Leighton had two receptions for 16 yards.
Sophomore linebacker Mana Tuioti led Sheldon’s defense with 17 tackles (nine solo), and senior defensive lineman Josh Merriman had seven tackles (six solo).
While reflecting on the season as a whole, Line said what he’ll miss the most is the “genuine care” his players had for one another.
“They’re as good of a team as I’ve ever been around,” Line said. “They always put the team first in everything they did. It was never about them. That was something that’s a hallmark of this team. That’s something I’ll never forget.
“They just came together. We always challenge our kids to do that. This team did that better than any team I’ve ever been around. I’m going to miss that about these guys.”
