Othello overwhelms Tumwater
Huskies defeat previously unbeaten Thunderbirds for semifinal berth
PASCO - The Tumwater Thunderbirds had what could've been considered a stout defense, allowing just a shade under 14 points per game entering Saturday's 2A state quarterfinal contest.
But the second-ranked and undefeated Thunderbirds hadn't faced an offense quite like the Othello Huskies' option attack, which has suddenly found a groove.
The Huskies (9-3) won their seventh straight contest, starting fast and finishing with a flourish in a 42-18 demolition of Tumwater at Edgar Brown Memorial Stadium.
On the game's first play from scrimmage, the Huskies' offensive line opened a gaping hole for quarterback Marc Garza - and the junior took it. He kept the ball on an option play and went 80 yards for the touchdown, putting Othello up 7-0 just seconds into the game.
It was just the first of several big runs for the Huskies, who kept the Tumwater offense off the field with a punishing ground attack. Othello rushed for 349 yards, with Garza and tailbacks David Walker and James Valdez all topping the century mark.
Garza and Walker also hooked up twice in the passing game for scores, and the Huskies' defense completely stymied Tumwater's attack. The Thunderbirds (11-1) finished with 230 of total offense, but most of that - along with their three touchdowns - came late in the game with Othello leading 35-0.
The mistake-prone Thunderbirds also had a hand in the outcome - they were penalized 15 times, five of them personal fouls, for 131 yards.
Othello head coach Roger Hoell didn't return a phone message for comment on Sunday night.
The Huskies will travel to the Tacoma Dome for their semifinal contest, an 8 p.m. start on Friday against the Burlington-Edison Tigers. Burlington-Edison (11-1) was a 28-6 victor over Pullman this weekend.
Prosser (12-0) and defending state champion Lynden (10-2) form the other half of the bracket. The semifinal winners face each other in the state title game at the Tacoma Dome, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m.