Austin Dodge isn’t the only Clark County player to play a key role for Southern Oregon. Max Proudfit, a junior from Union High, started at left guard Saturday. Dylan Bratlie, a junior from Skyview, started at right guard.
Southern Oregon made program history with a 62-37 win against Saint Xavier (Ill.) in the NAIA semifinals Saturday in Chicago.
The semifinal win is a first for the Raiders, who had never advanced beyond the quarterfinals.
Quarterback Austin Dodge, who owns NAIA career records in four offensive categories, threw for more than 400 yards for the second-straight game.
The senior from Skyview High School completed 32-of-51 passes for 460 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for 30 yards and a touchdown.
Wide receivers Ryan Retzlaff and Dylan Young both recorded 100-plus yard performances to lead the Southern Oregon receiving corps. Retzlaff had a game-high 11 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown, while Young tallied six catches for 108 yards and a score.
Saint Xavier quarterback John Rode was solid in the loss. He threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan Carroll was his favorite target with six catches for a season-high 136 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter.
With the loss, Saint Xavier falls to 15-8 all-time in the playoffs and has its home playoff winning streak ended at 10-straight. The Cougars end the season with a 10-3 record.
Southern Oregon will face Marian (Ind.) on Friday, Dec. 19 in the NAIA Football Championship in Daytona Beach, Fla. The game will air on ESPNU at 12 p.m. PST.
Micah Rice of The Columbian contributed to this report.
