Othello defeats Toppenish 56-12, keeps playoff hopes alive

OTHELLO - The Huskies were in must-win mode on Friday and they left everything on the field, defeating Toppenish 56-12 and staying alive in the race for a playoff bert in the CWAC conference. In front of their home fans, the Huskies came out determined and played their brand of football from the opening kick to the final whistle.

Freshman sensation Adrian Garza led the team down the field with ease on the first drive of the game, and capped it off with a one yard quarterback keeper for the games first score. The Wildcats showed some life by blocking the kick on the extra point, but after getting the ball back Toppenish struggled to find a rhythm on offense and give the ball back to Othello on a three and out.

The Huskies formidable run attack kept coming right at the Wildcats who couldn't find an answer to stop Garza running outside the tackles and Tanner Wagner pounding the ball up the middle. Othello capped off their second drive with a 15 yard run by Wagner for a touchdown. Josiah Peterson ran in the two point conversion to make up for the earlier blocked kick.

Othello had quickly jumped out to a 14-0 lead behind their relentless rushing attack and stingy defensive play. With their post-season hopes on the line, the Huskies kept their foot on the accelerator, getting another stop on defense and after a punt, marched the ball down the field and into the red-zone again. Freshman quarterback Adrian Garza struck again, calling his own number and breaking a 35 yard touchdown run. Miguel Gonzalez hit the extra point and redeem himself from the earlier blocked kick.

After another stop by the Husky defense, Garza led the offense back on the field and started driving. After Wagner and the rush attack got the Huskies into Toppenish territory, Othello took to the air and Garza found Pnut Pruneda for a 30 yard touchdown pass and Gonzalez again hit the extra point field goal. When the whistle sounded to end the first quarter, Othello had mounted a 28-0 lead and was sitting comfortably in the drivers seat.

The Wildcats wouldn't go away quietly, and rallied to begin the second quarter, moving the ball on offense for the first time in the contest. After getting deep into the red zone, Toppenish quarterback Emilio Zamarripa connected with Isaac Hayes for a 12 yard touchdown pass and the Wildcats first points of the game making the score 28-6. Just when it seemed Toppenish was getting back in the game, Husky kick-returner Randy Gomez took the ensuing kickoff 65 yards for another Othello touchdown followed by a Gonzalez extra point and stifled any momentum the Wildcats had built in the second quarter.

With the wind out of their sails, Toppenish again struggle to get the offense moving and punt the ball back to Othello with just over four minutes left in the first half. Othello continued to capitalize on good field position and their ability to control the line of scrimmage. After another solid drive, Garza broke a 20 yard run for his third rushing touchdown of the game. The Huskies scored once more before the half when back-up quarterback Alix Garcia completed a 38 yard touchdown pass to Pruneda.

With a 49-6 lead at half, the Huskies had all but put the game on ice by the break and brought in underclassmen and reserves to get playing time. The second half was more evenly matched, but even with multiple reserves playing Toppenish struggled to get their offense going and neither team scored in the third quarter.

Zammarripa threw one more touchdown pass in the fourth quarter on a 21 yard completion to Brent Evans. Othello again respond with a long drive, capped off by a Joe Deleon one yard touchdown run for the final score of the game, as the Huskies would go on to win 56-12.

Othello was led by Tanner Wagner who carried nine times for 113 yards and a touchdown. Garza again showcased his dual threat capabilities with a passing touchdown and three rushing touchdowns. Pnut Pruneda led the way for Othello receivers, with 68 yards and two touchdowns.

The Huskies now go on the road to take on Grandview next Friday and end the season with a CWAC showdown between two potential playoff teams when they take on East Valley at home in front of the Othello faithful. They will likely have to win both games to have a shot at claiming a playoff berth out of the competitive CWAC conference. East Valley will undoubtedly be one of greatest tests of the season for Othello and they will need to get big performances out of senior leader Tanner Wagner and Freshman quarterback Adrian Garza if they hope to keep playing beyond the next two weeks.