Some moments are worth waiting 23 years for.

For an Oregon high school football program that had spent more than two decades waiting for a postseason breakthrough, Friday night delivered the type of moment that can define a season and remain etched in a community's memory for years to come.

Ida B. Wells made history Nov. 6, defeating Grants Pass 46-35 in the opening round of the Oregon Class 6A football playoffs to snap a 23-year drought without a postseason victory.

The Guardians hadn't won a playoff game since 2003. Now, after over two decades of waiting, they can finally celebrate another postseason breakthrough.

The victory capped a remarkable regular season for Ida B. Wells, which entered the playoffs undefeated at 9-0 and earned the No. 6 seed in the 6A championship bracket. The Guardians continued that momentum against No. 11 Grants Pass, improving to 10-0 and extending their winning streak.

Ida B. Wells' success has been built around an unconventional offensive identity. The Guardians employ a Power-T offense that relies on misdirection and multiple ball carriers to keep opposing defenses guessing.

Junior Lucius Coon entered the postseason as the team's leading rusher with 675 yards. Seniors Olive Hamzaoui and Ethan Hoover had each scored six rushing touchdowns during the regular season, although Hoover was sidelined by injury entering the playoffs.

The breakthrough also carries significance for the Portland Interscholastic League. PIL programs had struggled to find postseason success in the top classification, with Jefferson's 2017 victory marking the league's most recent playoff win in the main 6A bracket.

Ida B. Wells has now added its name to that history.

With the victory, the Guardians advance to the 6A quarterfinals, where it is scheduled to face No. 3 Nelson on Friday, Nov. 13.