Multnomah ends Puget Sound's streak

AUBURN — Derek Johnson's 25-yard pass to Josh Branch in overtime gave Multnomah County a 20-14 victory over the Puget Sound Jets in the Northwest Football League semipro championship at Auburn Memorial Stadium.

After Puget Sound quarterback Lance Westendorf was intercepted to kill the Jets' drive in the first overtime, Multnomah County of Portland took over. On second down, Johnson found Branch behind the Puget Sound secondary. Branch made the catch, fell into the end zone and Multnomah County had its upset. It was Branch's only catch of the game.

The Jets had gone 12-0 through the regular season, won their first three games by a combined 160-7 and beat Multnomah County 23-14 earlier in the season.

The Jets also had won seven of the previous Northwest Football League championships and were the defending national champions, riding a 38-game win streak.

But Multnomah County (10-2) overcame that.

Johnson was 13 of 38 for 274 yards and three touchdowns as the Bucs took the lead early in the game then came from behind in the second half to tie Puget Sound and send the game into overtime before winning and earning the semipro upset.

The Jets were their own worst enemy.

Westendorf was sacked five times, the Jets were flagged for 10 penalties, had three passes intercepted, lost a fumble and gave up a 14-7 lead in the final quarter. It was not exactly part of the Jets' game plan under Coach Ken Austin, who was hoping to win his 106th straight semipro football game.

The Jets were forced to come from behind against Multnomah County early in the game.

The Bucs led 7-0 when Santae Wong got behind the Puget Sound secondary and grabbed a 50-yard touchdown pass from Johnson.

Westendorf hooked up with Calvin Simpkins for a 7-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter, but the extra-point attempt was no good, and the Jets trailed 7-6.

Puget Sound finally got its first lead when Westendorf scored on a 3-yard run on the final play of the third quarter. The two-point conversion gave the Jets a 14-7 lead.

But Multnomah County didn't quit, tying the score three minutes later when Wong caught his second touchdown pass of the game, a 13-yarder from Johnson.

Johnson was erratic but found Wong six times for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

Westendorf completed 11 of 27 passes for 182 yards, but many of his attempts came as he tried to run out of trouble.