Eagles eliminate Huskies from state

As the Othello sideline celebrates, running back Matt Jensen scores in the first quarter of the Huskies’ 28-22 loss to West Valley (Spokane) in a 2A state football quarterfinal game Saturday night at Gonzaga Prep High School.

By John Becerra Jr.

Staff writer

SPOKANE — It was a classic game in every sense of the word, but the Huskie football team saw its season end as they lost to the West Valley (Spokane) Eagles 28-22 in overtime in the 2A state football quarterfinal game at Gonzaga Prep High School in Spokane Saturday night.

It’s the second straight year Othello has taken an early exit in the tournament.

The first play in question came with 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Othello was driving for a game winning field goal and with one timeout left, an official blew his whistle after a running play to stop the clock. But coach Roger Hoell and the players protested no one on the team had requested time stopped. To make matters worse, no member of the officiating crew could verify who called the mystery timeout.

As time was winding down, the Huskies ran another play and were trying to get to the line to spike the ball to stop the clock to attempt the winning field goal, but two West Valley defenders were taking their time un-piling from the Othello ballcarrier. The ref’s made no effort to speed up play and time expired before the Huskies had a chance to get another play off sending the game into overtime.

“He (David Charles) said he was trying to get up and they wouldn’t let him up,” an emotional Mando DeLeon said. “They had to do what they had to do to win. I’d probably do the same in that situation.”

While defensive back Devon Lind felt they were “robbed,” defensive coordinator Brad Swenson said they didn’t want to get involved in a blame game with the officials.

“I just feel really bad for the kids,” he said.

The game started out on a good note as Othello took the opening kickoff and scored on its first drive. Matt Jensen bulled his way in from two yards out to get the Huskies on the board.

The Eagles fumbled on the ensuing kickoff, but Othello couldn’t take advantage as quarterback Jeremy Cerrillo was picked off near the goal line.

West Valley got its offense going in the second quarter, but a holding penalty negated a score by running back Krys Smith while quarterback Drew Clausen’s pass was intercepted by Devon Lind in the end zone. But Othello was flagged for a holding penalty while Lind was trying to take the ball out of the end zone, resulting in a safety.

The Huskies forced another turnover on the ensuing West Valley drive, but West Valley forced a fumble as Othello was in the red zone.

Clausen did his part to lead the Eagles to a score. Despite a bad snap, he converted a fourth and five with a 28-yard completion to Quinn Gannon. Three plays later, he found Mitch Peterson in the end zone for a 13-yard score.

The two-point conversion failed, but West Valley extended its one-point lead in the third quarter as Clausen threw for two scores — one to Clinton Gregg for seven yards and one to Ryan Dahlstrom for 25 yards. The second score was set up on a fumble by Mando DeLeon on the kickoff return.

It appeared West Valley had control of the game, but Othello put together a long drive that culminated in Jensen’s second touchdown of the game. After an offsides penalty moved the ball closer to the goal line, the Huskies chose to go for two. They caught a break when Cerrillo’s pass, intended for Jensen, bounced off an Eagle defender into the hands of Marcus Garza.

West Valley tried to answer, but several penalties pushed the Eagles back. Lind ended West Valley’s efforts by making a fantastic catch for an interception, just getting his feet inbounds.

“I saw the ball right in front of me and I just remember the drills from practice — scoop and score,” DeLeon said. “After I had fumbled on the kickoff, I told the guys I was going to make it up to them. That was my chance and I did.”

Defensive coordinator Brad Swenson diagrams a formation. Photos by John Becerra Jr.

Othello held the Eagles to a three and out, then got a big punt return from Lind and a West Valley unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to get them closer, but they didn’t get the field goal try off in time.

Othello was shut out on its first try in overtime and West Valley got the win when Clausen ran it in from five yards out.

The early exit was unexpected and the loss certainly will smart for days to come, but Swenson said the team made big strides this year.

“They never quit,” he said.

The Huskies were rewarded with numerous CWAC honors for their efforts this season.

Lind was the big winner, as he was named the defensive MVP and earned a unanimous First Team All-League at defensive back, a first team selection as a kick returner and a second team selection at wide receiver.

Also earning first team selections were center Jusdin Lynch, guard Jesse Espinoza, defensive lineman Conor Hamilton, inside linebacker Daniel Walker and outside linebacker Eddie Garza.

Earning second team selections were tackles Adrian Garcia, Nic Diaz, running back Parker Davis, Cerrillo, wide receiver Chris Brunetti and defensive lineman CJ Garza.

Earning honorable mentions were guard Paul Eppich, running back Matt Jensen, tight end DJ Cantu, defensive lineman Billy Dulce, DeLeon and defensive back Matt Jordan.

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