Turnovers make the difference as Thurston edges Sheldon

Defensive end Leofatu Filipe turned a Sheldon interception into six points, and it proved to be the difference as 5A Thurston knocked off 6A Sheldon 20-17 in a turnover-heavy battle Friday, Aug. 28.

The game started off slowly, with Sheldon leading 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, but visiting Thurston took a 7-3 lead into halftime after blocking a Sheldon field-goal attempt right before the break.

Thurston came out strong in the third quarter, with wide receiver Rocco Folino running the ball in from short yardage about halfway through the period to put the Colts up 14-3. But just three minutes later, Cody Hall ran through traffic for a touchdown to pull the Irish back within four, 14-10.

Filipe’s pick-six put the Colts up 20-10, and that proved to be the decisive score. Barry Myles caught a touchdown pass to pull the Irish within three points, but that wrapped up the scoring. .

The game was marked by a number of turnovers, and many of those came from miscues during punts, including one that bounced off the helmet of a Sheldon receiver and was recovered by Thurston, the kicking team.

The Colts will look for their second win of the season against West Albany Sept. 4, while the Irish travel to West Salem to take on the Titans.

Sheldon is looking for a bounce-back year after going 2-7 last season, while Thurston is looking to build on last year’s success after finishing 9-2 overall and 6-0 in league play.

Other scores

Friday, Aug. 28

• Thurston 20, Sheldon 17
• Lake Oswego 34, Willamette 7
• Canby 49, Churchill 22
• Siuslaw-Mapleton 44, Coquille 0
• North Eugene at South Albany, 7 p.m. 

Saturday, Aug. 29

• Ione-Arlington at McKenzie, 1 p.m.