Central Catholic wins another crown as injuries, Cru Newman too much for Tualatin to overcome

Rams set record with 639 yards; “We put our head on straight. We delivered, and we won”

René Ferrán | Nov 24, 2023

Hillsboro Stadium boasted an electric atmosphere with two teams throwing haymakers before an overflowing crowd.

Friday’s OSAA Class 6A state championship game between Tualatin and Central Catholic was shaping up to be a classic.

Then, in a span of three plays, injuries to Tualatin playmakers Nolan Keeney and Jayden Fortier within a 60-second span turned the lights out on the Timberwolves offense.

And in the end, they couldn’t keep up with a record-setting performance from the Rams in a 49-21 victory that gave the Southeast Portland power a third title in the past four seasons.

Central Catholic (13-0) put up a state championship game-record 639 total yards and scored on seven of its first eight possessions to win a rematch of its 2021 state championship victory over Tualatin (11-2).

“We went into this game knowing we were going to put up points, and that’s just what we did,” said Rams senior Cru Newman, who capped one of the best three-year stretches ever by an Oregon prep quarterback by throwing for 346 yards and a touchdown and running for 96 yards and two scores.

The final throw of his high school career was a 50-yard strike to Landon Kelsey with 3:50 remaining that gave the Rams the state record — breaking the mark (596 yards) they set nine years ago when they defeated Tigard 49-0.

Central Catholic coach Steve Pyne called timeout after the play to allow Newman a curtain call and a chance to exchange high-fives and hugs with his linemen and skill players before walking off the field one final time.

“I was just so grateful to be a part of this team,” Newman said. “This coaching staff, they’ve mentored me, and being able to mentor the younger guys has been super.”

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One of those younger players he took under his wing is junior receiver Zhaiel Smith, who missed several games in the middle of the season because of injury. Saturday, Smith had a season-high six catches for 56 yards.

“If it wasn’t for him, I really feel we wouldn’t be in this position right now,” Smith said. “He’s just magic.”

Senior Timmy Mitchell echoed that assessment.

“Cru’s a magician,” he said. “He’s Cru. There’s no real way to say it. He just does things. That’s how it is, you know? I love that guy.”

Tualatin coach Dominic Ferraro feared most of the plays Newman could make off-script, when his defense did everything perfectly and Newman still made chicken salad out of chicken …

“I mean, give credit to Cru. He’s one heck of a football player,” Ferraro said. “There’s a couple plays where he’s dropping back, nothing was there, and all of a sudden, Cru goes Cru, and he’s got a 15-yard gain. That’s tough to defend.”

Still, the Timberwolves were matching score for score with the Rams until the game turned in a two-play stretch early in the second quarter when first Keeney, then Fortier, exited the game because of injury.

Keeney aggravated the collarbone injury that sidelined him for the Three Rivers League season when Kainoa Hayes sacked him for an 11-yard loss. Keeney completed a 17-yard screen pass to Fortier on the next play before heading to the sideline.

Fortier gained three yards in the Wildcat, setting up a fourth-and-1 around midfield. Ferraro was set to punt, but after a timeout, Fortier returned behind center and converted the first down but sustained a possible ACL injury to his left knee.

“You know, I’m being stubborn, and I wanted to get the first down and keep the drive going because that was a big drive,” said Fortier, who had seven catches for 85 yards and a touchdown to that point. “Something didn’t feel right as soon as it happened. I could barely move my leg.

“Just one wrong plant, and high school is over.”

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Suddenly, the Timberwolves found themselves without two of their big stars against a defense they’d shredded twice but also had held No. 1 West Linn to 236 yards and seven points in the semifinals.

“We knew instantly after they both went out, it was over,” said Rams senior Matix Carpenter, the Mt. Hood Conference defensive player of the year who finished with eight tackles.

Senior AJ Noland moved back behind center, where he’d guided the Timberwolves in Keeney’s absence, and found Kenen Elder for a 17-yard touchdown pass that gave Tualatin its final lead at 21-14 with 6:56 left in the first half.

But the Rams answered with another quick strike, needing five plays to equalize on D’Marieon Gates’ 30-yard run. After a second consecutive three-and-out for Tualatin, Central Catholic took its first lead 1:02 before halftime on a 50-yard pass from Newman to Kelsey.

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Central Catholic scored on its first three possessions of the second half to turn a 28-21 halftime lead to a 49-21 advantage.

The Rams had 21 chunk plays of 10 or more yards, including four of their touchdowns.

“I would never wish an injury upon anyone,” Newman said. “But I still think we come away from that game with a win. We were putting up points left and right. So, it sucks for them. They’re great players. They probably could have changed the game, but I think the outcome would have been the same.”

The Timberwolves racked up 222 yards on their first three possessions, all ending in touchdowns, but finished the game with 324 yards of total offense.

“We were doing exactly what we wanted with them,” Noland said. “We felt like our offense was clicking. They felt like theirs was clicking. It was going to be a shootout, and it was going to be a super good game by the end.

“But I don’t really like thinking about what if? It just lingers in your mind if you start thinking like that. But it’s tough. Life is unfair. Things happen. So, credit to them. They won fair and square.”

Ferraro could only shake his head at his team’s misfortune.

“Give credit to my kids — they battled and they fought,” he said. “They kept fighting, regardless of what happened. But it’s tough when you lose your two dudes. We just got outgunned out there.”

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As the game slipped away from the Timberwolves in the second half, Keeney wearing a sling to protect the shoulder and Fortier clad in Arizona State sweats, an ice pack around his left knee, the feeling of helplessness overcame them.

“It hurts. That’s the only way I can put it,” Fortier said, his voice catching. “It hurts my soul. I’ve gone to battle with these dudes for 12 weeks, and even before that, losing in the semifinals (last season). This was our chance. We were going stride for stride with them every single play.

“And the fact that I couldn’t be out there and help my team? That hurts. It hurts.”

The Rams also saw Friday’s game as a chance to complete a redemption year after losing to West Linn in the 2022 semifinals, ending their chance at winning a third consecutive title.

They exorcised those demons last week with a 12-7 victory over the Lions at Oregon City’s Pioneer Stadium but knew they couldn’t afford a letdown against the Timberwolves, who they defeated 44-14 in the 2021 final.

“We’d been thinking about West Linn from the day we lost to them, and it was just the same feeling (Tualatin) had from the last time we played each other for the championship,” Mitchell said.

“So, we knew we couldn’t let our guard down. We put our head on straight. We locked in, because we knew we still had a decent opponent to face. We delivered, and we won.”

a Central Catholic Tualatin 6A Oregon football final November 22 2023 Leon Neuschwander 67 — Photo by Leon Neuschwander

Mitchell, Newman and Carpenter were key contributors to the Rams’ 2021 championship, and each reflected on the differences between that first title and Friday’s victory.

“I mean, the first time around, I was a sophomore, and now I’m a senior, and it’s become a dream,” Carpenter said. “I always knew the possibility of winning two was an option, but now that it’s come to life, it’s kind of surreal. One was a dream for a long time, and making it two now is even crazier to me.”

“I would say this one is more satisfying,” Newman added. “I’ve been with all these guys the last four years, and it’s finally coming to an end. And going out with one feels amazing.”

Both offenses opened the game firing on all cylinders. The Timberwolves took the opening kickoff and went 82 yards in 14 plays, with Keeney finding Fortier on a 13-yard touchdown pass.

Central Catholic answered on its first play from scrimmage, with sophomore Killian Sombe bursting through a hole between left guard and tackle to spring 76 yards for a touchdown.

Not to be outdone, Tualatin needed one play to go back in front, as Keeney hit Noland in stride for a 60-yard score.

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The Rams struck quickly again, with Newman’s 30-yard pass to Pomer Davison setting up a 1-yard touchdown run for Newman with 2 minutes left in the opening quarter.

“It’s not sad to lose twice,” said Noland, a Colorado State commit at safety who started in both games. “What is sad, you know, is this was my last game with my guys, guys I’ve been playing with for so long. I just wish we had a shot to play with my guys the whole four quarters. We were looking forward to it, and then the next thing I know, I played my last snap with (Jayden).

“So, it’s just disappointing. That’s really the only word I’ve got for it.”

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