Nelson's Corbin Croslin runs for a 15-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of his team's 26-6 win Friday. (Photo by Ryan Fanger)

HAPPY VALLEY – Nelson completed its five-year ascent of 6A Mt. Hood Conference football Friday night, finally taking its most important step.

The Hawks knocked off Mt. Hood kingpin Central Catholic with an emphatic 26-6 home victory that ended the Rams' 39-game conference winning streak. Nelson controlled the game behind the gritty running of senior Corbin Croslin and a dominant defense that held Central Catholic to 151 yards and forced five turnovers.

After losing to Central Catholic the last three years by an average margin of 29.3 points in games that ultimately decided the Mt. Hood title, this time, Nelson was clearly better.

“We've been underdogs since we opened up,” said senior defensive lineman Abraham Zhyryada, referring to the school's opening in 2021. “I think now we demand respect. When you get scheduled against this team, you better prepare all year long.”

Croslin rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries for Nelson, accounting for nearly half of his team's 277 total yards. The Hawks intercepted Rams senior quarterback Robbie Long four times – two by senior Chaz Katoanga and one each by juniors Drew Newbury and Malachi Garlington – and Zhyryada had a strip sack of Long that was recovered by senior Ian Nix.

No. 5 Nelson (7-1, 4-0) beat No. 4 Central Catholic (6-2, 3-1) to the punch all game long, sending a message along the way.

“They're always doubting us,” Katoanga said. “But we came out and showed today. I don't know what else we've got to do to prove to them, bro, we're a top team in the state.”

Nelson, which holds a one-game lead over Central Catholic and Sandy (5-3, 3-1) with one game remaining, clinched at least a share of its first conference title. The Hawks can claim the title outright with a win at rival Clackamas in the regular season finale. Central Catholic plays host to Sandy.

“It means so much,” Nix said. “We're going to get that first home game in the playoffs. That's going to be great. The chemistry, we've grown so much together, and we're only going to continue to grow.”

Central Catholic -- which had six total turnovers (also muffing a punt) -- absorbed its first conference loss since falling to Clackamas 24-22 in 2018. Rams senior defensive back Cole Thomas tried to put the loss to the Hawks in perspective.

“It feels really weird,” Thomas said. “It's a new school, and every year they've been getting better. This was just the year. That's just an all-around solid team. They play really well together, and know their identity. Not trying to do too much, just hard-nosed football.”

Croslin set the tone with his tough running, often dragging multiple defenders with him for extra yards. It was his first full game back since injuring his hamstring in the team's second game, a 43-15 loss at Timberline (Idaho).

“I feel great. Back to normal,” Croslin said.

He had two one-yard touchdown runs in the second quarter as Nelson led 13-0. He added a 15-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter – spinning through the middle of the defense -- to restore the lead to 19-6.

“That boy 2-3 different,” Katoanga said of Croslin, who wears No. 23. “I don't know how he do it, but that boy can get it done.”

Croslin said of his mindset: “Every yard counts. That's what happens.”

He impressed the Rams.

“That running back, we've got three or four guys hitting him on the line of scrimmage, and he's just pushing through us,” Thomas said. “He was just getting lower than us. We weren't getting low.”

Nelson senior quarterback Danny Leary completed 19 of 29 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown, an eight-yard strike to senior Cooper Stevenson to finish the scoring with 1:31 left. Senior Brody Austin had five catches for 65 yards.

Central Catholic's offense, which averaged 50.3 points in its previous four games, could not find a rhythm against the aggressive Hawks. Long went 9 of 20 for 97 yards and four interceptions. Senior KK Sombe was limited to 38 yards on 12 carries.

Newbury, a transfer from Central Catholic, relished his interception.

“It's a great feeling. I can't explain it,” Newbury said. “On their sideline, too. This is a big culture change for me. I feel like the team has accepted me. I feel like I'm at home.”

Nix, who entered the game tied for the 6A lead in sacks with eight, was a constant presence in the Central Catholic backfield. He said the Hawks had been waiting for their chance against the Rams.

“Our coaches, they really built us up for this moment,” Nix said. “We knew what it took. Since last year, we've held this grudge. They were coming to our house, we knew we couldn't mess up. We had a great game plan.”

It was a much different game than last year, when the Rams beat the Hawks 35-7 at Hillsboro Stadium.

“It's been on my mind since that night last year,” Zhyryada said. “I needed this one, for sure. It means everything to me.”

The Rams' only score came after they took over at Nelson's 11-yard line after a botched punt. Senior Tyson Davis ran five yards for a touchdown to make it 13-6 midway through the third quarter.