Tigard sprints past Centennial

Prep football: The Tigers amass 641 yards of offense in their 63-19 victory

By Dan Brood

The Times, Aug 29, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

SKY-HIGH CELEBRATION — Tigard seniors Kyle Gustafson and Kawika Bernal (3) celebrate following Gustafson's 50-yard, first-quarter touchdown run. The Tigers beat Centennial 63-19.

DAN BROOD / The Times

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TIGARD – The Tigard High School football team lost a pair of high-powered offensive weapons from a year ago.

But, if one game is any indication, the Tigers have reloaded their arsenal – and then some.

Tigard, playing its first game without former star running backs Scott Grady and Ryan Gorton (both 2008 graduates), opened its season by rolling to 641 yards of total offense on its way to scoring a 63-19 win over Centennial in a season-opener played Friday at Tigard High School.

“We felt we had to come out and prove something tonight,” said Tigard senior quarterback Kyle Gustafson, who accounted for 314 yards of total offense in the victory. “Man, this game meant a lot to us.”

“We’re a whole new team this year,” Tigard senior running back Travis Howe said. “We don’t have to rely on just one player.”

Tigard, which had a 5-5 record last year, was looking to get its season off to a flying start. The Tigers sure seemed to achieve that goal with its impressive opening-night performance.

“It was very important for us to get off to a start like this,” Tigard coach Mitch Sander said. “Coming into this game, we had a lot of questions marks. For the most part, this was a really great night.”

Tigard’s offensive line, including center Alex Yett, guards Jonathan Langvin and Tyler Nelson and tackles Travis Horton and Kevin Wright, seemed to play a big part in the offensive explosion, helping the Tigers rush for 494 yards on 41 carries as a team.

“You have to give it to the offensive line,” Howe said. “The holes were huge. Those guys have really been working hard. We’re going to be very versatile on offense. We’re running some new schemes.”

Howe had a big night for the Tigers on both sides of the ball. On offense, he ran for 150 yards on seven carries, scoring a pair of touchdowns. He also had five receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. On defense, he scooped up a Centennial fumble and ran 22 yards for another score.

Meanwhile, Gustafson rushed for 167 yards on 10 carries, scoring three touchdowns on the ground. He also completed eight of 15 pass attempts for 147 yards and a touchdown.

“I’m getting a lot of freedom in our offense this year, and I like that,” Gustafson said with a smile.

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