Strong second half keys Lions' 26-7 victory

By Matthew Sherman

The West Linn Tidings, Oct 19, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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The fans who showed up for West Linn's homecoming on Friday probably didn't anticipate having to watch their team head to the locker room trailing against Milwaukie. But that's what happened as penalties and strong defense by the Mustangs held the Lions to just three points in the first half.

Milwaukie got on the board first on its opening drive. After being stuffed on three plays and lining up to punt, West Linn went for a block and roughed the kicker for a 15-yard penalty. A personal foul gave Milwaukie 15 more yards and the Mustangs punched the ball into the end zone to take an early lead.

West Linn responded with a field goal and got the ball back after a fumble but, on fourth and goal at the one-yard line, the Lions were stopped short, leaving them with a four-point deficit through two quarters.

But the Lions quickly righted the ship. Quarterback Bryce Baker led the Lions down the field on the team's first possession of the second half and scored on a scramble.

West Linn tacked on another field goal off the foot of Robert Truax to take a 12-7 lead early in the fourth period and, four minutes later, West Linn put the game away on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Baker to Justin Monahan. Kyle Kraus scored on a 15-yard run with 2:10 to go in the game to complete the scoring for the game, making it 26-7.

West Linn has one more league game next Friday at Oregon City. With a win, the Lions will finish in second place in the Three Rivers League for the second year in a row.