Top-ranked West Albany continues its unbeaten march through the regular season

Everything was full-speed ahead for West Albany and the scoreboard showed it.

Matt McHenry scored three first-half touchdowns and helped the West defense to a shutout in a 44-0 win against Silverton.

The top-ranked Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0 Mid-Willamette Conference) also got 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns from junior running back Anthony LaCoste on just eight carries in the first half as West built a 41-0 lead at halftime.

West held Silverton (3-2, 1-1) to 26 yards rushing, including minus-10 in the first half against the Bulldogs’ first team defense.

Silverton quarterback Luke Ferguson was 12 of 36 for 119 yards and threw an interception to Bulldog Tyler Spevacek.

In the second half, West Albany primarily played its reserves.

“We were after that zero at the end of the game,” West defensive coordinator Jim Phillips said. “We took some of the big guns out and let some of others get some chances.

“Silverton is a very good offensive team and they do some things we need work on. It was good because it gave us a good look at things we needed to see.”

McHenry, a senior fullback, provided the biggest highlight of the night after he floated out to the right flat and caught a ball from quarterback Reese Miller with just less than five minutes left in the first half.

McHenry jumped over a potential tackler and broke two other Silverton tackles to score from 32 yards out.

He also had three carries for 72 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

LaCoste, a junior, gets attention with his yardage and touchdowns, but he gives credit to McHenry, among others.

“We give Matt a lot of praise because he works hard,” Miller said. “Tonight was his night.”

Added West coach Randy Nyquist: “That’s thunder and lightning. (McHenry) is thunder and the other one (LaCoste) is lightning. When they’re blocking together, that’s a pretty good deal, we’re a tough stop.”

On defense this season, McHenry moved to linebacker from the line, where he was a first team all-state selection in 2007.

Friday, he kept the pressure on and often found his way to the Silverton backfield.

“He can run more to the play and he can make things (happen),” Phillips said. “He’s valuable for us where ever we put him.”

McHenry said the defensive move allows him “pass protection, and getting more than a 2-yard run at the ball.”

McHenry said he enjoys linebacker more, and that it’s where he wants to play.

Plus, he admits, “I like hitting the quarterback.”

Miller, a senior, was 2 for 2 passing for 68 yards and two scores, the other to senior receiver Elliott O’Bryan.

West senior kicker Tyler George was 5 of 6 on extra points and made a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Photo gallery: See more photos online at http://democratherald.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=602304&CategoryID=33504&ListSubAlbums=0