Grant races past Canby into quarterfinals

Grant cheerleader Alexis Gibson is at the center of Friday's postgame celebration.

The Grant Generals showed off their love for big plays consistently in a 41-14 win over Canby Friday night at Lincoln High.

Junior Nathan Halverson scored on a 36-yard run, 64-yard reception and 97-yard kickoff return and sophomore defensive back Cordell Harris ran back an interception 100 yards for a score at the close of the first half that boosted the Generals into the quarterfinals of the OSAA/U.S. Bank/Les Schwab Tires state playoffs.

Junior back Bryant Peek sparked the offense with 150 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and senior quarterback Paris Penn threw for two scores, including a 5-yard connection with senior Jamarr Graves who had been left completely uncovered on the play.

With the win, the Generals advance to the quarterfinals and a trip to Eugene to play top-ranked Sheldon Friday.

Grant improved to 9-2 overall. Sheldon moved to 11-0 after beating Lincoln Friday.

Of all the big plays the Generals had Friday, none were more vital than the interception return.

Trying to fend off a last-second score at the close of the first half, Harris stepped in front of a severly underthrown pass at the goal line and ran for a score that turned what might have been a one-possession game into a 28-6 halftime lead the Cougars were unable to overcome.