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a student newspaper
the Talisman
Sheldon High School 2455 willakenzie Rd., Eugene, Or 97401 vol. 45 Issue 3 Dec. 18, 2009
Michael Chase photo
Sheldon players raise the coveted blue championship trophy after defeating the Jesuit Crusaders 50-43 in the state title game at Reser Stadium.
Top-ranked Irish defeat Jesuit for state title Sheldon ends their season with a 14-0 record and the program’s third championship in seven years by Michael Chase editor-in-chief In a year that could be defined only as “total domination,” Sheldon saved one of its most dramatic wins for last. The number-one ranked Irish (14-0), led by senior quarterback Jordan Johnson, defeated the second-ranked Jesuit Crusaders 50-43 in the OSAA 6A championship game last Saturday night at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. Johnson, who was named the Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year two weeks prior to the state title game, threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns en route to Sheldon’s second state championship in three years. Johnson also ended the season with the eighth most passing yards ever by a quarterback in the state of Oregon
with 3,508. On the same field in which he led his team to their first 6A state championship as a sophomore two years ago, a visibly emotional Johnson said after the game, “It feels awesome. To come out your senior year and go perfect, I couldn’t ask for anything better.” Two of Johnson’s favorite targets, as they were all year, were seniors John Campbell and Curtis White. Campbell had 41 receiving yards and finished his senior campaign with 1,650 yards—the fourth-most in Oregon singleseason history. The University of Oregon-bound White caught six passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. After the game, White said, “It feels great. I just got to thank God and I’m so proud of all the other guys. We just did our very best and battled and now we’re state champs.” The matchup was one of the most anticipated in state championship history, matching up this decade’s two dominant teams in the highest Oregon classification. Sheldon featured the number-one ranked offense in the state while Jesuit featured the top-ranked defense: the classic “unstoppable force meeting an immovable object” battle. Prior to the game, the Crusaders had a playoff record of 28-6 with three championships this decade, while the Irish were 26-7 with two titles. Many considered the winner of
this game to be dubbed the unofficial “team of the decade.” Sheldon’s victory was the perfect cap to an unforgettable season. The Irish’s offense was one of the most prolific in the program’s history, averaging almost 52 points per game, and scored 720 total points, breaking the old state record set by the 2000 Jesuit team that scored 670. Eight of the eleven offensive starters were named to the first-team all-conference team, including the entire offensive line. The win didn’t come easy for the Irish squad. Jesuit’s star running back Keanon Lowe, a future Washington Husky, ran for over 300 yards and accounted for all six of Jesuit’s touchdowns. Jesuit mounted a comeback in the final minutes, but senior defensive lineman Nick Steele sacked Jesuit’s Jeff Elloriaga in the final seconds to run out the clock and give the Irish their third state title of the decade. The postgame celebration was full of happiness and joy as players, coaches, and their friends and family gathered on the field, taking pictures, giving hugs, and reveling in the moment. One of the sights of the night during the postgame celebration was the hug between Coach Marty Johnson and his quarterback son. Jordan Johnson described the feeling as, “Unbelievable. I can’t really put it into words. Winning one’s good enough, but winning two is just unbelievable.”
Contestants named for Mr. Irish fundraising pageant Ten senior guys were nominated to participate in the 18th annual fundraiser for neo-natal center
by Lauren Scott assistant editor
Last month, senior girls each voted on five boys they felt would best represent Sheldon spirit in the annual Mr.
Irish pageant. Ten senior boys—Joel Chapman, Caleb Patrick, Joseph Houck, Todd Moore, Nathan Hanson, Justin Sawyer, Patrick Bryant, Blake Elliott, Nick Stringfield, and Nick Thomas—were then nominated for the 2009-10 year. To reach the ultimate goal (i.e the title of “Mr. Irish”), contestants will have to raise money for the neo-natal center at Sacred Heart Hospital, perform in a talent contest, and woo as many people as possible to vote for them. As is expected, charisma is a must. This is the 18th consecutive Mr. Irish Pageant being held at Sheldon High School. In 2002 alone, Mr. Irish raised approximately $1,000,000 in donations for Sacred Heart. The concept of a senior boy pageant has spread to over twenty other regional high schools because of this Sheldon tradition.
On being voted one of the contestants, Bryant said, “I am extremely flattered. I never really thought I was so popular among the ladies. It’s pretty cool, I suppose, to be in the top ten and I am glad I have so many friends.” This year, the stakes are high as all ten contestants are, arguably, more talented and charming than ever before. People wandering around the school with giant plastic baby bottles and glass containers, asking for money, have been a common sight recently. Sawyer is looking forward to “dancing and showing off all [my] sweet moves on stage!” The most anticipated part of the whole pageant—the talent show—will be held on March 5th, when a wide array of other unique abilities will be showcased to their fullest, come the night of the show and crowning of this year’s Mr. Irish.