CORVALLIS - When West Albany High linebacker Neil Crook intercepted A.J. Burke’s pass inside the Bulldogs 10-yard line with 4:40 remaining in the Saturday’s 5A state title game, it all but wrapped up the title.

It also gave the Bulldogs defense an important punctuation mark to its season.

“We started working for this the day after last year’s game,” said defensive back Will Murphy after the Bulldogs completed an unbeaten run with their 34-7 victory. “We knew we would come around. It was just a matter of time.”

Time was on Glencoe’s side in the first half. Time of possession that is.

Behind David Puckett, the state’s leading rusher, the Crimson Tide looked like they had found an answer to a Bulldogs defense that had smothered every opponent it had faced.

The Tide moved the ball with consistency behind Puckett’s elusive 109 first-half yards. West Albany defenders were on the field for more than 16 minutes in the opening half.

More amazing, the Bulldogs trailed for the first time all year. Not to worry.

“They bent us a little bit,” said defensive lineman John Braun. “He’s a good back but we adjusted.”

Adjustments were the key. Defensive coordinator Jim Phillips had the Bulldogs ready. Trailing 7-3 at the break, the Bulldogs made the needed changes. The second half provided the dominance Bulldogs fans have become used to.

“We moved some people around and did what we didn’t do in the first half. We contained the outside,” Murphy said. “There were no surprises from Glencoe. We knew Puckett was a great back.”

The Bulldogs stuffed the Crimson Tide on their first possession of the second half, and the momentum switched almost immediately, according to Murphy.

“It was important to come out and stop them. It got us the momentum and the offense used it,” Braun said. “It was a real boost. We played differently in the second half.”

The Bulldogs bottled up Puckett, who eventually left the game because of cramping. Without his talents, Glencoe had no answer to the Bulldogs defense.

Drew Pigg, Tyson Seaman and Reese Miller all had five solo tackles and Miller added an interception.

It was a typical triumph for West Albany. Lots of offense and just as much defense.

Puckett finished with 111 yards, but just two in the second half.

“It was an awesome day,” Murphy said. “I’m so proud of these guys.”

Braun summed it up for all the West Albany players, particularly the defense.

“It’s the greatest day of my life,” he said. “I feel incredible.”