Ephrata beats Othello for the first time in 17 years, 35-14

EPHRATA - A good majority of the Ephrata football players hadn't even been born when Jerry Maguire hit theaters in 1996.

That hasn't stopped the Tigers from adopting the phrase popularized by Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding Jr. in the film.

"Show me the money" has become a rallying cry for the Tigers this season. Players can even be seen mimicking Johnny Manziel's money sign celebration after big plays.

On Friday, the team cashed out and upset No. 6 Othello, 35-14, at home. It was the first time Ephrata had beaten Othello in 17 years.

"It's a big win for our kids and our program to take a step in that direction," head coach Jay Mills said. "Call it a statement win, call it a big win for our kids. That's great and it just shows all the hard work they've put in in the summer and stuff like that and our kids came out and made plays and continued to make plays as the game went on."

Ephrata (1-1) struck early in the first quarter when senior quarterback Loyd Burleson connected with senior running back Nick Lobe for a 33-yard touchdown pass. Lobe was able to break a tackle near the sideline and stay in bounds on his way to the end zone, giving Ephrata a 7-0 lead (PAT good).

It was an early statement that the Tigers didn't care about the almost two-decade long losing streak against the Huskies.

"Nick did a great job from the get go on that first play ... Where he tip toed down the sideline there and that I think really set the tone of letting them know about our speed and potential to make big plays. Nick is a gamer and has a knack of making plays when we need them."

Lobe made a host of big plays, finishing with a pair of rushing and receiving touchdowns.

For the most part, Ephrata kept the ball on the ground with its stable of rushers. The Tigers ran the ball 46 times for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

More, Ephrata out-gained Othello 404-271 for the game.

"He (Lobe) had a great game," senior running back Justin DeHoog said. "His speed definitely helps him. Then we've got me at power back and then we've got (Tyler) Lutz who's even faster. Our back field's just crazy fast and we're going to have a good season with all of them."

Othello (1-1) answered Ephrata's early score when sophomore quarterback Adrian Garza found senior wide receiver Austin Garza for a 34-yard touchdown strike with 3:30 to go in the opening quarter. Austin's catch knotted the score at 7-7 (PAT good).

Despite the early touchdown pass, Adrian struggled against the Tigers, completing just nine of 26 passes for 137 yards and four interceptions.

The Ephrata defense also limited the Huskies' option attack to just 134 yards on the ground.

"Our kids were in the right spots to make those plays when they came to them," Mills said.

The Tigers answered the Huskies' score quickly when - facing a third down and 19 - Burleson completed a pass to Lutz for 32 yards. That set up Lobe's second touchdown. This time a three-yard run with 41 seconds left in the first quarter that gave Ephrata a 14-7 lead (PAT good).

After Othello was stuff on a fake punt attempt in the second quarter, Lobe broke off a 39-yard run on the next play to set up Ephrata at the goal line.

Lobe was fed again and took the ball in from one yard out for his third touchdown of the night, stretching the Tiger lead to 21-7 (PAT good).

Entering the game, Mills expected his offense to flourish. It was the play of the defense that was a pleasant surprise.

"Coming in we knew we could move the ball on them," he said. "We were worried about holding up against their line if they started to run the ball between the tackles was a big concern for us. We felt like our speed on the perimeter was good and we showed that tonight with our plays, but if you go toe-to-toe with Othello they're tough to match punches with so that was our big concern coming in."

Burleson threw two four quarter touchdown passes - one to Lobe and one that was tipped but caught by Connor Martin - that gave Ephrata a 35-7 lead with nine minutes left in the game (PATs good).

Burleson was an efficient 11 for 13 with 191 yards and three touchdowns.

Othello senior running back Joe Deleon drove in a three-yard run with 6:32 left in the game to cut into the deficit, 35-14 (PAT good).

Othello recovered the ensuing onside kick, but was unable to do anymore damage as Adrian's heave down field was intercepted by Burleson.

Ephrata salted the game away on the ground and walked off the field victors against Othello for the first time in nearly two decades.

"It's crazy," DeHoog said. "We haven't beat them in like 17 years so it's obviously a good feeling. We work hard for this ... In the weight room all summer, all year so I think we deserve it."