Irish defense corrals Colts.

Byline: Steve Mims The Register-Guard

Sheldon heard the skeptics who questioned its defense.

"A lot of people doubted us on the defensive line," senior defensive end Trevin McClure said. "That made us want to work harder, get stronger and get more confident. I'm a lot happier with our defense overall tonight."

The Irish held Thurston's powerful running game to a total of 75 yards - less than one-third of its average - to defeat the Colts 30-13 in Midwestern League football Friday night at Sheldon High School.

With one victory over an unbeaten team behind them, the Irish (2-1 overall, 2-0 league) will take on South Eugene (4-0, 3-0) next week in a battle for first place.

Sheldon gave up an average of nearly 300 yards rushing in its first two games of the season, including a 31-15 loss to Barlow. Thurston averaged 2.3 yards on 32 carries against the Irish.

"This doesn't answer all the questions, but it goes to show we've got some good football players," Sheldon coach Marty Johnson said. "They stepped up, particularly on defense. They've taken some knocks during the last couple weeks. They have been disappointed in themselves, I think, during the first two weeks."

Thurston (3-1, 2-1) averaged 242 yards rushing in its first three games and Tyson Cochran finished with 70 yards on 11 carries, but the rest of the team totaled five yards on 21 carries. Those statistics included six sacks totaling minus-36 yards.

"The key was hard work during this week of practice," said McClure, who had three sacks. "Our confidence is shooting straight up."

After a scoreless first quarter, the defense got the first points for Sheldon when Thurston was called for a holding penalty in the end zone that resulted in a safety to give the Irish a 2-0 lead with 7:22 left in the first half.

Then Sheldon's offense scored a couple of quick touchdowns.

Following a Thurston free kick, the Irish needed only two plays and 36 seconds to score when quarterback Corey Moran tossed an 18-yard touchdown to Alex Besaw.

Sheldon's next drive was even shorter as the Irish drove 23 yards in 33 seconds before Brandon Fisher scored on a nine-yard run to put the Irish ahead 16-0 at halftime.

Thurston scored first in the third quarter when Brett Leavitt tossed a short pass to Tim McKee and the 5-9 senior scampered down the field for an 81-yard TD play. The Colts looked to cut Sheldon's lead in half, but failed on the two-point conversion to trail 16-6.

Sheldon answered immediately with a 77-yard drive that ended when Fisher scored on a three-yard run to put the Irish ahead 23-6.

Moran, who was 15-for-27 for 254 yards and two touchdowns, added a 27-yard touchdown pass to Matt Arbuckle early in the fourth quarter. Fisher finished with 68 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.

"I thought Brandon Fisher and our offensive line ran the ball better tonight than we had," Johnson said. "I didn't think we played great on offense, but we certainly played good enough to put points on the board."

Leavitt was 13-for-19 for 182 yards and two touchdowns while McKee caught four passes for 94 yards for Thurston.

North Eugene 56, Woodburn 20

WOODBURN - Dan Winterstein ran for 228 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Highlanders as they improved to 2-2.

Shawn Peterson completed 10-of-14 passes for 196 yards and ran for another score, and Joe Axling carried nine times for 91 yards and a touchdown for North Eugene, which outgained Woodburn 586-178.

CAPTION(S):

Sheldon's Trevin McClure holds on to Thurston quarterback Brett Leavitt during the Irish's victory Friday night. Sheldon quarterback Corey Moran threw for two touchdowns in the Irish victory. Wayne Eastburn / The Register-Guard The Colts' Brett Leavitt is stopped cold by the Sheldon defense on the Irish's home field.