After struggling through the first two weeks of the season, Philomath High’s coaching staff decided to strip things down to basics. On Friday night, that adjustment paid off in a big way.
Powered by a passing attack that found its rhythm early and a run game that also had its moments, the Warriors built a 35-6 halftime lead and cruised to a 35-18 Special District 2 win over Molalla at Clemens Field.
Gallery: PHS football vs. Molalla (Sept. 18, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s 35-18 football win at home over Molalla on Friday.
“We tried to make it really simple for the quarterback and the kids because we have a lot of kids out there that haven’t had a lot of downs due to injuries,” PHS coach Alex Firth said. “So we simplified things tremendously and then we just focused on getting good at a few things and just building off of that.”
Senior running back Gavin Bennett said the pared-down playbook let Philomath lean into what it does best.
“We condensed the playbook a little bit,” Bennett said. “We had I think two different run plays, so we kind of just did what we’re good at, and it obviously worked.”
The result was a fast start. Senior Kaden Howard capped the opening drive with a 3-yard end-around run just 2:27 into the game, set up by a 30-yard run from Bennett. Philomath struck again on its next possession when senior quarterback AJ Altishin found a wide-open Bryce Hruska for a 37-yard touchdown with 3:51 left in the first quarter.
“We got Jamin (Peters) back, we’ve got the run game and then they crowded the box and we could pass all over,” Howard said when asked for his thoughts on the first half.
The Warriors kept rolling in the second quarter. Howard hauled in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Altishin, juggling the ball before securing it with his feet in the end zone, to make it 21-0. Two possessions later, Altishin capped a drive that included a 56-yard Howard reception with a 1-yard quarterback keeper, pushing the lead to 28-0.
Molalla got on the board with 3:21 left in the half on a 6-yard touchdown run by junior Zeke Kappas, but Philomath answered right back. Bennett scored from 3 yards out to send the Warriors into the locker room up 35-6.
“In the first half, obviously we were firing on all cylinders,” Firth said. “AJ was really seeing the field well and throwing the ball well. The line gave him time. We actually ran the ball pretty well also.”
Altishin, who said he felt more comfortable in the pocket than he has “in a long time,” credited a strong push up front and the return of Peters, a senior lineman who had been sidelined with an injury.
“Getting Jamin back is just huge on both sides of the ball — it’s hard to beat him,” Altishin said. “Defensively, getting like two stops to start was huge. I mean, having defense like that, and especially when you can score on a running team like that, it’s hard for them to get back in the game.”
Molalla controlled much of the second half, particularly the third quarter, when the Indians strung together a 14-play, 6:44 drive that included two fourth-down conversions. Philomath’s defense turned away the Indians, however, when Hruska broke up a pass on fourth-and-9 in the red zone.
Kappas and sophomore Cole Stafford each scored fourth-quarter touchdowns to make the final margin more respectable, but Philomath’s first-half burst proved too much to overcome.
Bennett proved to be a threat in more than one way out of the backfield for the Warriors.
“I mean, I still love it as long as I get the ball — it doesn’t really change much,” Bennett said when asked about his six receptions. “I’m getting more yards, still putting pressure on the other team, just moving the ball downfield. Doesn’t change anything for me.”
Bennett added 44 yards on 11 carries to go with those team-high six catches for 89 yards and a score. Altishin finished 18 of 26 passing for 308 yards and two touchdowns, adding a third on a 1-yard run. Howard caught five passes for 95 yards and scored twice — one on the ground and another on a reception. Hruska hauled in four catches for 82 yards and a touchdown and also picked off a pass on defense. Bennett and junior Cole Barron each recorded a sack. Junior Sammy Hernandez converted on all five PAT kicks.
Kappas led Molalla with 134 yards on 19 carries.
Penalties were a factor throughout with the two teams combining for 21 flags and 200 yards. Molalla was penalized 12 times for 125 yards.
Howard said the Warriors’ focus during the week showed up when it mattered.
“We had to stay focused all week at practice and be dialed in for the game tonight,” Howard said.
Bennett believes the team has turned a corner.
“In the first game, we were not prepared yet — it was week zero,” Bennett said. “We hadn’t practiced much, and we just weren’t fully together as a team. We just kept working and working and working our tails off, and now we’re a complete team and we’re ready.”
Philomath (2-2) will travel to Independence to face Central on Sept. 25. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Philomath 35, Molalla 18
Friday, Sept. 18, at Clemens Field, Philomath HS
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Molalla (1-2) | 0 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 18 |
| Philomath (2-2) | 14 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
FIRST QUARTER
PHS — Howard 3 run (S. Hernandez kick), 9:33
PHS — Hruska 37 pass from Altishin (S. Hernandez kick), 3:51
SECOND QUARTER
PHS — Howard 18 pass from Altishin (S. Hernandez kick), 9:39
PHS — Altishin 1 run (S. Hernandez kick), 7:47
MHS — Kappas 6 run (kick failed) 3:21
PHS — G. Bennett 3 run (S. Hernandez kick), 0:48
FOURTH QUARTER
MHS — Kappas 2 run (kick failed), 4:42
MHS — Stafford 3 run (pass failed), 1:09
Category MHS PHS First Downs 13 20 Total Net Yards 269 372 Rushes-Yards 32-151 27-64 Passing Yards 118 308 Punt Returns 0-0 1-10 Kickoff Returns 4-63 2-13 Interception Ret. 2-62 1-21 Comp-Att-Int 10-19-1 18-26-2 Punts 4-34.8 2-26.0 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0 Penalties-Yards 12-125 9-75
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Molalla, Kappas 19-134, Furbee 4-6, Stafford 5-6, Snell 3-4, Billings 1-1. Philomath, G. Bennett 11-44, M. Bennett 5-21, Howard 4-1, Altishin 7-(-2).
PASSING—Molalla, Furbee 10-19-1-118. Philomath, Altishin 18-26-2-308.
RECEIVING—Molalla, Larios 3-21, Kappas 2-9, Lavoie 1-39, Perez 1-34, Stafford 1-10, Snell 1-2, Jensen 1-1. Philomath, G. Bennett 6-89, Howard 5-95, Hruska 4-82, Kvidt 1-17, McQueen 1-16, Nuño 1-8.
MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.
4A SPECIAL DISTRICT 2
STANDINGS—Cascade 1-0, 3-0; Philomath 1-0, 2-2; Estacada 0-0, 2-1; Stayton 0-0, 2-1; Gladstone 0-0, 0-2; Molalla 0-1, 1-2; Central 0-1, 1-3.
SCORES—Sept. 18: Cascade 40, Central 8; Philomath 35 Molalla 18; Gladstone at Stayton, no report.
