Republic edges out Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE - The Eagles Joe Cutshall threw for 498 yards and six touchdowns, but his efforts weren't enough to help Soap Lake pull out a come from behind win over the Tigers at home Friday.

The Eagles lost the game 64-56 on a night that saw both teams combine for 1,000 yards of offense.

"It was an exciting competitive homecoming game," coach Joe Worsham said. "At one time, our guys were behind 42-14 and it could have been a story of disaster and gloom.  However, we finally got a couple of defensive stops and made a remarkable comeback to tie the game at 42 all.  But we could not close the deal."

Soap Lake put eight points on the board in the first 12 minutes of action on a  20-yard run by  David Odarchuk   (Jason Korneychuk PAT), but trailed 22-8 at the end of the quarter.

A 50-yard bomb from Cutshall to Odarchuk (Pass failed), and a 15-yard toss to Korneychuk (Dustin Foster run) added another 14 points for the Eagles, but Republic scored 20 to take a 42-22 lead at the half. Soap Lake out scored the Tigers 20-0 in the third quarter on two TD passes from Cutshall to Korneychuk, and an 80-run by Odarchuk to tie the game 42-42.

But Republic answered back with 22 points to the Eagles 14 in the fourth quarter to win the contest 64-56. The final two scores by the Eagles came off a 30-yard pass from Cutshall to Foster and a 60-yard reception by Josh Decker.

"We did have the ball and an opportunity to tie the game late, but could not capitalize on the possession," Worsham said. "But we are exceptionally proud of our team's effort against Republic."

The loss drops Soap Lake to 2-4 in league play.

The Eagles are back in action Friday when Soap Lake hosts Wilbur-Creston at 7 p.m.