Seattle Times state football rankings 

O'Dea rolls past Auburn into quarters

 By Matt Thompson
Special to The Seattle Times  

O'Dea High senior Johri Fogerson smiled wide and motioned to his red and white cleats. "These are new and I have to admit, I felt light tonight," said Fogerson, who led the Irish to a 35-3 win over Auburn in the first round of the 3A state football playoffs at Seattle Memorial Stadium. "All the excitement and all the emotions. From here on out all these games are like rivalries."I'm just so happy right now." 

Fogerson flew up and down the field against the Trojans (8-3), rushing for 212 yards on 18 carries and scoring three touchdowns to help the Irish (11-0) keep their perfect season intact. O'Dea moves on to play Meadowdale next weekend in the quarterfinals. 

Fogerson slipped on the wet turf on his first two carries, but got his feet under him on his third carry when he sprinted 45 yards for a TD at the end of the first quarter. Fogerson followed with a 10-yard TD run with five minutes left in the first half to give O'Dea a 14-3 lead. 

"That [long run] gave the team a boost," Fogerson said. "It was our game from there on out." 

The Trojans' defense often was in position to make plays, but Fogerson always managed to break tackles or outrun Auburn defenders. 

"He had a great game tonight," said Irish coach Monte Kohler. "But that's what we expect from him. He has worked hard to get where he is and good things happen to those who work hard." 

Fogerson received helped from the Irish offensive line and his younger brother, Zach, a sophomore fullback who rushed for 52 yards. 

"All the credit goes to them [the offensive line]," Johri Fogerson said. "And especially my brother. He had the blocking game of his career tonight." 

O'Dea controlled the ball and punted once. The Irish scored three straight TDs in the second half to put away the game. 

Senior quarterback Donald Lisowski rushed for 67 yards and also threw a 12-yard TD pass to John Buhrman. Lisowski added a 12-yard TD. 

Auburn moved the ball most of the night. The Trojans got inside the 20-yard line three times, but only came away with three points. Jeff Gouveia led the Trojans with 94 yards on the ground. 

Chris Frazier kicked a 31-yard field goal in the first half. 

Extra Points | Which school has the biggest home-field football advantage?

We asked readers which school has the biggest home-field football advantage.

Some responses:

Auburn | Troy Field in Auburn is a great stadium with great tradition. The name was changed to Auburn Memorial Stadium when Auburn Riverside opened, but the locals and "old-timers" still refer to the place as Troy Field. Big home stands with a tunnel at the 50-yard line is impressive. The visitors must enter and exit their locker rooms under the student and band section of the field. The Trojans practice there every day and the "old school" turf is fast. Very few places compare. The Trojans are on a four-year unbeaten streak on the friendly confines. The crowds are big and the steep seating makes them seem very loud. It's a great setting for a high-school football game. — Kent Rodseth  

Auburn High School

2007 record: 6-1 South Puget Sound League 3A; 8-3 Overall  

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Football family conflicted

By Sandy Ringer
Seattle Times staff reporter

Plenty is at stake tonight when Auburn plays Auburn Riverside in a South Puget Sound League 3A football contest — including family bragging rights.

Auburn coach Gordon Elliott squares off against a Riverside staff that includes offensive coordinator Chris Paulson, his son-in-law. Chris is married to Gordon's daughter Amanda.

According to Amanda, many in the family will sit on the Auburn side of the field for one half, the Auburn Riverside side for the other.

The winner of the 7 p.m. game at Auburn Memorial Stadium gets the league's No. 2 playoff seed, while the loser will be No. 3.

It's not the family's first football conflict. Elliot used to coach against brother-in-law, Mark Torgerson, when Torgerson coached at Kentlake.

SPSL 3A Playoff Report