Seaside’s Uneven Season Leaves Playoff Stakes for Clatsop Clash
SEASIDE, Ore. - A season marked by decisive wins and costly losing stretches has left Seaside High School’s football team with an unresolved finish: the Clatsop Clash against Astoria and a possible path to the playoffs. The rivalry game also serves as senior night for a team built around senior leadership.
Seaside opened with a victory over Warrenton before losses to Junction City and Stayton left the Gulls with a 1-2 nonleague record. The league opener provided a reset. Seaside defeated Taft 28-7, using three second-quarter touchdowns to turn a scoreless game into a 21-0 halftime advantage and begin league play at 1-0.
That victory offered the clearest statistical picture of Seaside’s ground game. The Gulls rushed for 280 yards, outgained Taft 310-221 overall and converted 6 of 10 third downs. After Taft cut the lead to 21-7 in the third quarter, a 30-yard touchdown run restored the three-score margin. Seaside also overcame five turnovers with a defense that recorded two interceptions and three sacks, held Taft to 3-for-12 on third down and stopped all four fourth-down attempts.
The next two games interrupted that start. Seaside battled Tillamook on the road but lost 30-23, then fell to Scappoose to slip to 1-2 in league play. A victory over Woodburn ended the two-game losing streak and brought the Gulls back to 2-2 in the league before a bye week.
The break provided time to recover and prepare for Banks, a matchup that carried implications for the league race. Seaside entered ranked No. 18 in the state, while Banks was No. 5 and held a 3-1 league record. A victory would have drawn the teams even in the league standings, but the Gulls instead suffered a lopsided loss.
Through those swings, seniors have supplied much of Seaside’s leadership, with underclassmen filling a few key roles. The lineup has also depended on two-way contributions at quarterback and linebacker, running back and middle linebacker, and running back and strong safety. Those overlapping responsibilities have placed offensive contributors in important defensive assignments as well.
The season’s remaining stakes extend beyond the rivalry. Seaside needs a victory over Astoria and favorable results elsewhere to keep its potential playoff route open; a win alone would not guarantee a berth. Senior night therefore brings both a chance to finish the regular season positively and a result that could determine whether the Gulls continue playing. Seaside faces Astoria at home at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.
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