GEARHART — In a match between two teams that have won the last 14 Cowapa League championships and three of the past four state titles in 4A boys golf, Seaside once again has the upper hand on Scappoose.

Rapidly rising up the list of state title favorites, the Gulls knocked off the defending state champions in a league dual match Monday afternoon at Gearhart Golf Links.

Several career-low scores helped Seaside card a 334 team score to 345 for Scappoose, in the final dual match between the two teams. The Indians will make the jump to the 5A level next year.

“It was another great match in the long history of this friendly rivalry,” said Seaside coach Jim Poetsch, whose team has won nine league titles to five for Scappoose.

The Indians’ Chase Elliott came in with an 80, which earned him medalist honors. It also gave Scappoose an eight-stroke lead, as Seaside’s No. 1, Connor Merrell, shot 88.

Seaside’s Jackson Kunde came in with an 83, cutting the Scappoose lead to four. The Gulls followed with career low scores from Samson Sibony (84), Curtis Kunde (84) and Mason Shamion (83) to secure the victory.

“It is a good day when you can throw out your No. 1 player’s score and beat the defending state champions,” Poetsch said. “We haven’t had a lot of scores in the 70s this year, although that is coming soon, but we are very good from one to five and that showed today.”

Shamion “finally had that breakthough that I’ve been expecting and beat all but one Scappoose player out of the five spot,” he said. “He only had one score above bogey all day long. Some of our matches this year have had too many blowup holes and Mason did a great job of controlling his game today. In fact all of them did a good job of limiting damage today.”

The Gulls had two sevens, but nothing worse. Scappoose had seven scores of seven or above, “and that was the difference in today’s match,” Poetsch said. “The other guys all played well. Connor scored only three above his average and we didn’t even use his score today. Jackson played well enough to move back into the No. 1 spot, but Curtis, Samson and Mason were all right there challenging him for it. Nine of our 11 players had season lows today, as all six JV players tied or set new season lows. We keep getting better and hopefully we will peak about a month from now.”

The Seaside junior varsity team continued its undefeated season with a 425-435 victory over the Indians. John Whittle was medalist for the fourth time in as many outings with a 94.

The Gulls will be the host team in the Seaside Invitational, next Monday at the Astoria Golf & Country Club.