High School Football: Clatskanie knocks off Knappa to clinch league title
Cross County Clash – Tigers prevail 21-14 in Top-10 battle of undefeated rivals
Luke Roth (Mid-Major Media) special to Blast Zone Media / blastzonenews@gmail.com
Prep Football / Report
CLATSKANIE – Under the bright lights on Thursday night at Dick Manick Field, No. 9 Clatskanie made program history, grinding out a 21-14 win over No. 4 Knappa to improve to 8-0, the best start in school history, according to OSAA archives.
The victory over the previously undefeated Loggers not only preserved the Tigers’ perfect record for another week, but also clinched them at least a share of the Special District 1 Championship. They can secure it outright next week on Senior Night against No. 14 Nestucca, which would mark Clatskanie’s first league title since 2019.
Thursday night was a heavyweight clash between two Highway 30 foes, separated by less than 25 miles. Since dropping to 2A, Clatskanie and Knappa had split their last four meetings, with the home team winning each one.
True to that trend, the Tigers defended their turf behind a defense that rose to the occasion and an offense that delivered in key moments.
Clatskanie head coach Sean Gorley called it “an amazing win for our kids,” praising his team for staying composed through momentum swings.
“We weathered the emotional roller coaster,” Gorley said. “I was proud of how we stayed focused on defense and were balanced on offense.”
— Clatskanie’s defense comes up with a massive goal-line stand midway through the third quarter to keep Knappa out of the end zone and preserve a 14-7 lead on Thursday, Oct. 24, at Dick Manick Field. The stop shifted momentum the Tigers’ way as they went on to win 21-14. / Video by Skyler Smith for Blast Zone Media —
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