By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
GERVAIS, Ore.– Freshman Goalkeeper Eyzaak Corona had to step in early in Saturday’s 3A/2A/1A Special District 2 Title Game Saturday afternoon at Gervais High School when Mason Perez went out with an injury to his head.
The ninth-grader was tasked to hold off the aggressive style of their rival in Blanchet provided in the District Title Game. With his adrenaline pumping, he went to work. His defense allowed the first-year Varsity player some time to find his footing, and outside a Quinten Beyer goal with 28 seconds remaining in the first half, Corona kept Blanchet from pulling away in the second half.
“I’m not going to lie, I was very nervous about it. Overall, I think it was a great game. My players did what they needed to do. Overall, the best game ever,” said Corona. “I was trying to do what I can, do my job, and overall, I just thank the load, thank my parents, and thank everyone,”
As if the dramatics of the rivalry wasn’t enough, there was a lightning delay that added suspense to the game four minutes into the second half. It was all Dayton needed to refocus to eventually tie the game up in the 61st minute after coming back from the delay and getting back to it. Leo Olague scored the tying goal.
The 1-1 score remained through the final 19 minutes of regulation. Then, the 20 minutes of overtime.
It came down to Penalty Kicks to decide a winner.
And Corona came through in the clutch with two important saves to help set up what would be a 5-4. The difference in PK coming away from Gerardo Garcia. It capped an intense game that left both teams exhausted by the game’s end.
“I knew that I was going to make it, and I gave my glory to God, and I was praying for it. I was like, ‘Lord, give me strength. Give me the mindset, give me the strong kick, and I’ll leave it all up to you’ and it was all in his hands. I scored and made it and made me proud,” said Garcia of his goal. “(The game) was really intense, really 50/50, I’d say. Everything was going back-and-forth between players and the teams, but we still pushed through and won.”
Despite the result, both teams enter the 3A/2A/1A State Playoffs battle tested and are looking for deep runs next weekend when the postseason starts.
“Coming into this game, we knew it was going to be tough. Dayton’s a very skilled, very silky smooth team with the ball, and we knew that we had a lot of work. We came up with a gameplan, the boys executed it almost to perfection,” said Blanchet Head Coach Benje Orozco. “We battled for 100 minutes, and to lose in PK’s, it’s like a coin flip. It’s anybody’s opportunity to win in that situation and hats off to Dayton. They figured it out, and they beat us in PK’s. But I’m super proud of the boys.
“The boys know that they can compete with anybody. I know that we will bounce back. They’re disappointed that they lost in the District Championship. But I know and am confident that we’ll bounce back out of this stronger and look at another run at State.”
Dayton enters the playoffs 13-0-1, and Blanchet enters the postseason 10-3-1.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
