Royal just too much for Huskies

Othello's comeback bid falls short in fourth quarter

KENNEWICK — Two state champions played two very different halves of a football game on Saturday. Royal High School won the first one against Othello High School.

The Knights were able to take advantage of five Huskie turnovers and extend their lead to 24-0 before Othello scored near the end of the second quarter to cut the lead to 24-6.

The second half belonged to the Huskies, who scored 13 unanswered points to cut the lead to 24-19. But the deficit proved too much to overcome for Othello ,as they eventually dropped their non-league opening game of the 2005 season.

First half play was summed up by the five turnovers committed by Othello. Royal helped make that possible by constantly harassing Huskie quarterback Wally Cantu.

Without the turnovers from Othello the first half could have easily swung in favor of the Huskies.

"That is the nature of the game," head coach Wiley Allred said. "I felt like the second half was a different game."

The second half was a more evenly matched game between the Huskies and Knights. Without penalty or turnovers holding them back Othello manufactured a scoring drive near the end of the third quarter that cut the lead to 24-12. On the kickoff the Huskies attempted and were successful with an onside kick. It gave them the ball in Knights territory and momentum as the crowd started to get back in the game for Othello.

The drive did not go smoothly. Othello had the ball first and goal on the eight yard line when they were called for a false start. On the next play at the start of the fourth quarter Othello threw an incomplete pass into the end zone. Their next play brought a delay of game penalty and brought the ball five yards back and a loss of down for the Huskies.

After another unsuccessful attempt at the endzone and facing a fourth down and goal at the 19 yard line the Huskies decided to go for it.

It was the third attempt at the left corner of the end zone and this time Cantu hooked up successfully with Matt Gilbert for the touchdown. After the PAT Othello had cut the Knights' lead to 24-19.

Othello continued to keep the pressure on the Knights. Royal City faced a third down and nine yards to go situation when they threw an incomplete pass. On the play Othello was called for pass interference and it gave Royal City a first down in Huskie territory. The Knights eventually scored on the drive, all but ending the comeback hopes for the Huskies.

Othello got the ball back after the touchdown for Royal City but threw an interception on the first play of the drive.

Royal City was able to run out the clock after the turnover.