Friday Night Lights: Franklin picks up key win, Jefferson back in the win column

The penultimate week of the high school football regular season has come and gone with the PIL picture in clear sight now and Central Catholic knowing what needs to be done.

Wells’ win over Grant has helped set up a PIL championship game with Lincoln next week, meanwhile the Rams picking up another win sets them up for a potential do-or-die matchup next week to try and get into the state field.

Meanwhile, Franklin picked up a huge win, Jefferson got back in the win column and David Douglas is showing improvement.

It’s all in the Week 8 roundup below!

Ida B. Wells 34, Grant 28

Ida B. Wells went up early and hung on in the second half to take out Grant and remain unbeaten this season.

You can check out more from the Guardians ground game and the Generals strong push to get back into with our full game recap here.

Franklin 21, Roosevelt 8

Franklin secured another winning season with a big 21-8 home win over Roosevelt.

The Lightning ground game dominated possession and found the end zone from three different backs who all had big runs throughout the night. Finnegan McTaggart had a 3-yard TD, LaQuante James scored from 37 yards out and Levi Rountree had a 6-yard TD.

The Roughriders battled tough despite losing QB Marlan McCowan to an injury. JJ Buell stepped up and ran the ball hard, scoring a 62-yard TD along with the two-pointer to keep the game close.

Franklin moves to 5-3 overall and 4-3 in the PIL with the win while the loss drops Roosevelt to 3-5 overall and 2-5 in league play.

Up next: Oct. 30: Franklin at Cleveland, 7 p.m. (Marshall HS) and Jefferson at Roosevelt, 7 p.m.

Jefferson 34, McDaniel 26

After a 6-0 score at halftime, Jefferson made enough plays to outduel McDaniel on the road in a 34-26 Democrats victory.

Jefferson went to Victor Jackson through the air as the junior caught two TDs, and then it was DJ Davis on the ground with two TDs of his own to supply the Demos offense.

Jefferson improves to 2-6 overall and 2-5 in the PIL, McDaniel falls to 1-7 overall and 1-6 in league.

Up next: Oct. 30: Jefferson at Roosevelt, 7 p.m. and Grant at McDaniel, 7 p.m.

Century 52, Cleveland 30

Cleveland went out to Hillsboro Stadium for its lone nonleague game of the season and couldn’t contain Century in a 52-30 loss.

The Jaguars were up 43-18 in the fourth, but the Warriors didn’t stop fighting. Apollo Johnson hauled in two TD catches from Jude Buck on the night and had a kickoff return TD. Henry Meade had a rushing TD as well while Cole Christensen hit a 36-yard field goal.

Cleveland goes back to .500 on the year at 4-4 but remains 4-3 in the PIL ahead of a huge rivalry matchup next week with Franklin that could decide if the Warriors make the postseason or not.

Up next: Oct. 30: Franklin at Cleveland, 7 p.m. (Marshall HS)

Central Catholic 36, Reynolds 0

It was quick and efficient for Central Catholic out on the road in a 36-0 win over Reynolds to wrap up Mt. Hood Conference play.

Armani Tonga was the catalyst on offense with two rushing TDs and a receiving score. George VanSandt got the defense in on the scoring as well with a fumble recovery returned for a TD.

The Rams close Mt. Hood play at 3-1 and improve to 3-5 overall ahead of their season finale next week against a tough Grants Pass team.

Up next: Oct. 30: Grants Pass at Central Catholic, 7 p.m. (Hillsboro Stadium)

Hood River Valley 35, David Douglas 14

There’s improvement happening in east Portland, and David Douglas proved it by keeping things close with Hood River Valley in a 35-14 loss.

Malakai Fong and Darren Parker had the two scores for the Scots going against an Eagles team that has quietly gone under the radar in 5A.

The Scots are now 1-7 overall and 1-3 in 5A Special District 1.

Up next: Oct. 30: David Douglas at La Salle Prep, 7 p.m.

Putnam 63, Parkrose 6

Up next: Oct. 30: St. Helens at Parkrose, 7 p.m.

Lincoln 1, Benson 0 (forfeit)

Benson had to cancel the rest of its season, giving Lincoln the automatic win this Friday.

Now, the Cardinals will head into a de facto PIL championship game against SW Portland rival Wells on the road next week.

Bring your popcorn.

Up next: Oct. 30: Lincoln at Wells, 7 p.m.

Standings

PIL

T1. Ida B. Wells 7-0, 8-0 overall

T1. Lincoln 7-0, 7-1 overall

3. Grant 5-2, 6-2 overall

T4. Cleveland 4-3, 4-4 overall

T4. Franklin 4-3, 5-3 overall

T6. Jefferson 2-5, 2-6 overall

T6. Roosevelt 2-5, 3-5 overall

8. McDaniel 1-6, 1-7 overall

9. Benson 0-8, 0-8 overall

Mt. Hood Conference

1. Nelson 3-0, 7-1 overall

2. Central Catholic 3-1, 3-5 overall

3. Clackamas 2-1, 3-5 overall

T4. Barlow 0-3, 3-5 overall

T4. Reynolds 0-3, 4-4 overall

5A Special District 1

1. Sandy 3-0, 5-3 overall

2. Hood River Valley 3-1, 6-3 overall

3. Gresham 2-1, 3-5 overall

4. David Douglas 1-3, 1-7 overall

5. Centennial 0-4, 0-9 overall

5A Special District 2

1. Milwaukie 3-0, 4-4 overall

2. St. Helens 2-1, 5-3 overall

3. Putnam 2-2, 4-4 overall

4. McKay 1-2, 1-7 overall

5. Parkrose 0-3, 1-7 overall