It’s come down one final game for the state 5A championship. At 1 p.m. this afternoon, the 11-1 Hermiston Bulldogs will play the 12-0 Silverton Foxes in Hillsboro for the state title.
Hermiston is coming off a 30-13 semi-final win over Marist last week, while Silverton advanced to the championship game with a 31-14 win over Springfield.
Hermiston and Silverton had two common opponents this season – Springfield and Marist. Hermiston beat Springfield on the road on Sept. 19, 28-21, while Silverton beat Marist on the road on Sept. 12, 34-13.
Hermiston’s offense is powered by senior quarterback Chase Knutz, the Columbia River Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Knutz threw for 2,549 yards and 31 touchdowns this season while completing 57 percent of his passes. Running backs Cory Adams and Samuel Colbray carry much of the load, with Adams running for 1,057 yards and Colbray for 880.
For Silverton, senior Sam Kuschnick has rushed for 1,470 yards and 20 touchdowns this season, and averages 7.2 yards per carry. Silverton quarterback Cole Chandler was named the Mid-Willamette Conference’s offensive player of the year, and has completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,923 yards and 18 touchdowns against just six interceptions.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m.
