Tualatin battles past Tigard in rivalry’s latest chapter; both teams eye postseason run: 5 takeaways
Sure, winning is always good.
But some wins just might be a bit more gratifying than others.
The Tualatin football team knows all about that. The Timberwolves picked up a very gratifying win, pulling away in the second half to get a 27-3 victory over longtime rival Tigard in a Three Rivers League finale Friday at Tigard High School.
“Any time you can beat your rival, it’s good,” Tualatin senior quarterback/defensive back AJ Noland said. “It goes all the way back. They had our number before I was in high school, but I’d say we had their number throughout my high school career. Rankings, none of that matters when it comes to this game. Everyone brings 100 percent. They battled tonight. Credit to them, but we were able to pull it out, and any time you get that win, it’s amazing.”
Not only did the Timberwolves improve to 8-1 overall and to 4-1 in TRL play, but the victory was their fourth in a row against the rival Tigers.
“It means everything. To me, this rivalry is one of the biggest in the state,” said Tualatin senior tight end Jayden Fortier, who scored all three of Tualatin’s touchdowns. “Obviously, going 4-0 against your rival is a great feeling. Undefeated in high school against them — man, I love that.”
“This is such a deep rivalry. It’s the biggest game on our schedule every year, year in and year out,” Tualatin senior tight end/defensive end Tyson Hunt said. “Beating them always gives us a sense of pride. They were pretty dominant a few years back, but we’ve been on top, and to come out on top again feels great.”
Tigard, like rival Tualatin, was fired up for Friday’s contest, and the Tigers, behind a strong defensive effort, trailed just 10-3 at halftime.
“I thought we did pretty good, considering it’s the No. 2 team in the state,” Tigard senior tight end/defensive end Brian Smith said. “I thought we battled really, really well.”
Tigard moved to 0-5 in league play and to 4-5 overall.
Here are five takeaways from Friday night’s matchup:
Fortier is a force in all phases
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Fortier, who plays linebacker for Tualatin’s defense, stepped up in many ways for the Timberwolves in the victory.
He ran the ball seven times for 39 yards, and three times, after taking a direct snap, he powered his way to the end zone for a touchdown. He also had seven receptions for 94 yards. On defense, he had a sack and another tackle for loss. He even had a 34-yard punt return.
“That just shows a big sign that (Tualatin head coach Dominic Ferraro) trusts in me,” Fortier said. “I just love that dude to death. It shows that he trusts in me to do everything. Run the ball, catch the ball, even a punt return. I think it’s just a great relationship we have.”
In addition to everything — and it’s definitely a lot — that Fortier does on the field, it seems like he means much more to the Tualatin team.
“He’s such a big component for us, not only on the field, but off the field,” Hunt said. “He’s a great team leader and always brings the energy, especially on game nights. Today, I’ve never seen him bring so much energy in my life. Making big plays like he does just lights up the whole team.”
“I think it’s just how I come out, I try to boost the team and boost the team’s energy,” Fortier said. “I’m one of the leaders of the team, and people look to me. So, if I bring energy, everyone’s going to bring energy.”
So, just how good is Fortier? Noland, for one, doesn’t mince words.
“He’s the best player in the state,” Noland said. “There’s a reason for that, and he shows it every single week. I have all the trust in him. Big third down, I’m looking at him. Fourth and one, we’re going to him. Every big moment, he does it. He’s the best player in the state, and nothing can change my mind about that.”
AJ is OK wherever he plays
Noland entered the 2023 season looking to be a top receiver for the Timberwolves — after all, he had a 99-yard touchdown reception in Tualatin’s win over Tigard a year ago.
But after Tualatin starting quarterback Nolan Keeney suffered a broken collarbone Sept. 23 in a 42-17 win at Jesuit, Noland took over at quarterback.
In his five starts at quarterback, he’s led Tualatin to a 4-1 record. In Friday’s game at Tigard, he completed 15 of 23 passes for 128 yards, and he rushed for 38 yards.
“AJ is one of my best friends. He does what he’s asked to do,” Fortier said. “He’s one of those guys that can do everything that’s asked of him. He was one of our best receivers, probably the best on the team. He was the best defensive player on the team. Now, he comes in at quarterback and he finds the open receivers and he makes things happen with his legs.”
“We had AJ as our youth football quarterback, so it’s just been like a throwback to the old days,” Hunt said. “I know he’s not used to it, and not really comfortable, but he’s really stepped up and has made big plays.”
Noland gets a smile when he talks about his time at quarterback this season.
“It’s been interesting,” he said. “There’ve been ups and downs. There’s been a learning curve, but overall, I’ve had a fun time. Hopefully, Nolan can get back in there. He’s suited up, so it’s any week now, and I’m looking forward to that day when he’s back out there, and I’m back at wide receiver.”
That might happen soon, maybe as early as next week’s Class 6A playoff opener, as Keeney was suited up for Friday’s game at Tigard.
“All I’ll say is I think Nolan will be back next week, and it’s going to be fun,” Fortier said. “AJ will be back at receiver, so the ‘Big Three’ (Noland, Fortier and Kenen Elder) will be back.”
“I want to be at wide receiver, and I want Keeney at quarterback, that’s how it goes,” Noland said.
Timberwolves bare their teeth on defense
While Tualatin has plenty of star power on offense — with Noland, Fortier, Elder and senior running back Carson Mullins, among others — the Timberwolves’ defense also has stepped up.
“The defense really held it down for us,” Noland said. “The offense wasn’t clicking like we thought it would, and when that’s happening, you turn to the defense. We only gave up three points, and when you only give up three points, there’s a very high chance you’re going to win.”
“All season, our defense, we all worked really hard this summer to be ready, and I think we all made major steps, and I think our defense has been almost unstoppable all season,” Hunt said.
The Tualatin defense definitely appeared to be solid — very solid — in the victory at Tigard.
In addition to allowing just three points, the Timberwolves gave up only 136 yards of total offense to the Tigers on 47 plays from scrimmage.
Fortier and junior defensive lineman Tanner Dunn each had a sack and another tackle for loss. Hunt had a sack, and senior Tino Russo and senior Kevin Villasenor each had a tackle for loss.
“I think our defense is one of the strongest parts of our team,” Fortier said. “Everyone wants to play, and everyone wants to go hard, rally to the football and make big plays. There’s no better feeling than making a big play, especially against our rival. I also have to give props to our sideline. The energy was off the charts. They were loud, they were screaming, and that definitely messed with Tigard a bit.”
Tualatin is ready to make a run
Tualatin, which reached the semifinal round of the Class 6A state playoffs a year ago, is looking to make another big postseason run this year.
“We’re looking to just make a great run,” Hunt said. “We’ve got all the athletes and components we need. We just all need to work hard do what we do best. I’m absolutely looking forward to it.”
“Whatever seed we get, I hope it’s the No. 2 seed, and whatever draw we get, we just have to run with it,” Fortier said. “We’ll be firing on all cylinders. Everyone is going to be back. It’s going to be scary.”
The Timberwolves did end up getting the No. 2 seed, meaning they’ll be hosting a first-round game, where they’ll face Roosevelt, and, if they win that, they’ll also be home for the quarterfinals to play Nelson or Wells.
“We want to make a run, of course,” Noland said. “We’re going to take it one week at a time. It’s going to be a battle every single night, so we have to take it week by week. But hopefully we can get that rematch that we want, back in the ‘ship.”
That rematch Noland is talking about would be with West Linn. The Lions, the top seed, handed Tualatin its only loss of the season.
“That’s West Linn — West Linn,” Noland said of the desired rematch. “But there’s still Central Catholic, South Salem, Sherwood and other good teams, so we’re not going to overlook anyone. But we feel West Linn is the team to beat, and that’s who everyone wants to beat, to be honest.”
Don’t overlook the Tigers
While they didn’t come out on top in Friday’s clash with rival Tualatin, the Tigers feel boosted by their strong performance against the Timberwolves.
Tigard definitely seemed to shine on defense, limiting Tualatin to 277 yards on 61 plays.
“I think our defense did really good. We were really sound,” Tigard senior receiver/defensive back Roman Martin said. “Overall, our defense did good. On offense, we moved the ball, but once we got to the red zone, we just couldn’t put it in the end zone.”
On the defensive side for Tigard, Smith had a strong performance, coming up with two tackles for loss.
“I give credit to our coaches,” he said. “We had a good game plan.”
Tigers junior Owen Wright also had two tackles for loss. Senior Max Coker had a sack, and senior Jason Layton and senior Dane Breen each had a tackle for loss.
Tigard will open the Class 6A state playoffs with a first-round game at unbeaten South Salem.
After playing against Tualatin and the rest of the teams in the powerful Three Rivers League, the Tigers feel like they’re prepared for anything.
“I think this will give us a lot of momentum going into the playoffs,” Smith said. “We played a really good team and gave them a good battle. This will give us a confidence-booster. We’re looking to do some damage in the playoffs.”
“Playing in this league will help big-time. Everyone in this league are in the playoffs, so playing in this league, we’ve played some of the best of the best. We’ve been through it all, so if we put our heads down and work hard, I think we’ll be fine,” Martin said.
“I think we’re going to do really good. I’m excited. We’ve got a week’s work ahead of us. After this loss, we’ll have to put our heads down and work. We need solid practices, over and over, and when it comes game time, no messing up and just do great.”
—
Tualatin 27, Tigard 3
Tualatin 7 - 3 - 3 - 14 – 27
Tigard 0 - 3 - 0 - 0 – 3
First quarter
Tual – Jayden Fortier 4 run (Calvin Evans kick)
Second quarter
Tig – Sam Graf 22 field goal
Tual – Evans 27 field goal
Third quarter
Tual – Evans 30 field goal
Fourth quarter
Tual – Fortier 5 run (Evans kick)
Tual – Fortier 15 run (Evans kick)
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Rushing – Tualatin, Carson Mullins 10-40, Fortier 7-39, AJ Noland 9-38, Tino Russo 7-16, Trent McMillian 3-13, Kenen Elder 1-2, Evans 1-1. Total 38-149. Tigard, Christian Warner 11-54, Trevin Laird 1-11, Jake Feist 8-(-3), Nicco Simonetti 1-(-13), Gavyn Simmons 4-(-22). Total 25-27.
Passing – Tualatin, Noland 15-23-0, 128. Tigard, Simmons 8-18-0, 109; Feist 1-4-0, 10.
Receiving – Tualatin, Fortier 7-94, Zack Zuckerman 4-17, Elder 2-(-7), Thomas Ngure 1-13, Russo 1-11. Tigard, Roman Martin 4-41, Laird 2-38, Colt Ness 1-23, Simonetti 1-15, Brian Smith 1-2.
—
STATEWIDE SCOREBOARD
Week 9 predictions: How did we do?
State leaders: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A
Media polls: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A
