Huskies win handily, nab second seed to state

Othello prepares for Selah-Colville winner next weekend

OTHELLO - When the Othello Huskies suffered a devastating upset loss in overtime to the Selah Vikings on Oct. 1, things could've taken a turn for the worst.

But a veteran Othello lineup wasn't about to let the season go in the tank. Five weeks and five consecutive wins later - including Thursday's 49-0 shellacking of the Grandview Greyhounds - and the Huskies have wrapped up the Central Washington Athletic Conference's No. 2 seed to the state playoffs.

Othello (7-3 overall, 7-2 CWAC) won't know its first-round opponent until Tuesday night, but - surprise, surprise - it could be Selah. The Vikings knocked off Ellensburg on Thursday, grabbing the No. 4 seed. Selah plays at Great Northern League No. 3 Colville on Tuesday, and the winner comes to Huskie Field next Friday or Saturday.

Othello head coach Roger Hoell gave his team three days off after the Grandview victory, something the players are truly grateful for.

"I think we can all benefit from a little recuperation," senior running back David Walker said with a smile. "We just want to improve every game and improve every practice."

The Huskies had a few turnover problems in the first quarter against Grandview as Marc Garza was intercepted by Greyhound defensive back Viano Perez on the game's third play and Walker fumbled away a scoring opportunity on Othello's next possession.

Walker atoned for his error, however, by intercepting Grandview's Matt Concienne twice in the first eight minutes. He returned the second pick to the Hounds' 37-yard line, and Garza capped a short drive with a 5-yard keeper around the left side.

That started an Othello scoring barrage that didn't stop until Hoell removed his starters early in the fourth period. The Huskies did most of their damage on the ground as James Valdez rushed 10 times for 161 yards, Walker added 106 hashes on 18 carries, and Othello's other backs added 111 yards.

"It's awesome," said Valdez, the conference's leading rusher, of Othello's backfield. "Even the quarterback helps us out. When (the defense) is focused on Walker, they can go to me. When they focus on both of us, Marc can do it."

Valdez had already wrapped up a 1,000-yard season, but Walker finished just short despite some punishing runs on the Hounds. He said it was more of a team goal to reach the mark than a personal one.

"Having 1,000 yards would be a big statement for our offensive line and just showing how well they've been blocking for us," Walker said. "Getting close to it, that's good enough for me."

Othello went on an 88-yard drive early in the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead. Valdez opened the march with a 33-yard burst, Garza found Walker on a 22-yard pass, and after Valdez set up first-and-goal with an 18-yard scamper, Garza got his second TD on a 3-yard keeper.

A costly Grandview gamble on its next series set up Othello's third score. The Greyhounds tried to convert a fourth-and-2 from their own 35, but Concienne's sneak was well short. Garza immediately hit Raymond Rodriguez for 28 yards, then rolled out and found a wide-open Walker in the right flat for a 13-yard TD.

Grandview's only true scoring threat of the evening came late in the half after Perez hit Josh Bertsch for 37 yards on an end-around pass. But Othello took over on downs at their own 33 with 24 seconds left.

The Huskies weren't thinking about taking a knee. Valdez took a pitch right for 23 yards, then broke the same play for a 51-yard touchdown with just 5.3 seconds left on the clock.

Othello used a five-play, 50-yard drive to score early in the third period, capping it on Walker's 4-yard run.

J.P. Underhill's 42-yard punt return gave the Huskies great field position moments later. Garza found tight end Gabe Cantu for 32 yards and Walker rolled in from 3 yards out on the next play.

Othello got its final score seconds later as junior defensive end Jakob Scott stepped in front of Concienne's quick pass and scooted untouched for a 34-yard score.

Lost in the shuffle of Othello's offensive onslaught was a strong defensive effort. The Huskies limited Concienne to 15 of 30 passing for 143 yards and three interceptions. Grandview managed just 43 yards on the ground.

Whether it's Selah or Colville the Huskies open with next weekend, there should be a certain revenge factor. Colville beat Othello in last year's state playoff opener.

"It's going to give us great motivation, because they beat us pretty bad last year, and we're hungry," Valdez said.

"A lot of us are really looking forward and we have really high expectations to go far this year," Walker added. "We really think we can do it - we have the team and we have the players."