Huskies’ rally but fall short in playoff loss

OTHELLO – The Othello Huskies (9-2) fell short 24-21 to Sehome in the 2A state football tournament after a late comeback attempt was unsuccessful. Defensive Coordinator Kevin Hale said he was proud of the Huskies giving themselves an opportunity to win, even if it did not go their way.   

“We had some difficulties and penalties and turnovers. We made it tough on ourselves, but ultimately, we gave ourselves a chance to win at the end and just couldn't quite do it,” Hale said.   

The Huskies took an 8-7 lead after the first quarter, but Sehome responded in the second quarter, tallying off 10 points to take a nine-point lead at halftime. The Huskies offense erupted in the third quarter with 13 points, but Sehome was able to maintain the lead with another score of their own and hold in the fourth quarter for the win.   

“Credit to Sehome, they're a tough, physical team, and I think they're going to give Archbishop Murphy all that they can handle next week,” Hale said.   

After taking a one-point lead in the first quarter thanks to a successful two-point play by the Huskies, Sehome capitalized off some lucky plays. Their lone touchdown of the second quarter was tipped by one of their receivers, and a second receiver just happened to be in the right place at the right time to catch the ball in the endzone.   

The Huskies were aggressive offensively and at times paid for it. After turning the ball over on a deep shot, the defense responded with their backs to the wall. Defensive back Tyler Suarez undercut a Sehome receiver’s route to intercept the ball and give the Huskies the ball back.   

However, they would not be able to find the end zone, and Sehome rode their momentum to a 17-8 lead over the Huskies at halftime.   

The Huskies took their first offensive drive of the second half to the house. Running back Gavin Carl broke through the trenches and up the sideline toward the endzone and even juked a defender at the one-yard line.   

Sehome responded quickly as they drove down the field to increase their score to 24 late in the third quarter. Hale said Sehome’s quarterback gave the Huskies defense quite the challenge throughout the game. He said at times it was as if he were playing playground football.   

“He'd run out and he'd find an open receiver, and we weren't getting to him. It is what it is there. They do what they do, and they do it really well,” Hale said.   

The Huskies offense took over and erupted offensively. Quarterback Quade Gonzalez hit a receiver on a deep shot along the sideline to get the Huskies going again.   

The big play proved to be the jolt of energy they needed as Gonzalez followed it up with an impressive 27-yard touchdown pass. He broke out of the pocket to the right and launched the ball to the back of the endzone where a receiver was able to snatch it out of the air to cut the deficit to 21-24.   

The game reached a defensive standstill in the fourth quarter. Neither team had much luck finding the endzone. The Huskies seemed to have all of the momentum after forcing a fumble and recovering it to start the fourth. However, they were unsuccessful in converting that momentum into more points.   

As the clock was ticking down to the final minutes. The Huskies put together one more offensive drive. Gonzalez continued to pull off impressive throws, including one off his backfoot downfield to RJay Garza to convert a third down.   

“He was definitely better in the second half, but that's just a demonstration of what we try to do with the entire team. No matter what's going on, just keep playing and things will happen for us. He definitely did that, that's for sure,” Hale said.   

With under two minutes to go, the Huskies were knocking on the door of the endzone, but it was fourth down. Instead of going for a field goal to tie the game, they went for the kill shot. Sehome sent defensive pressure after Gonzalez, which rushed him into throwing the ball of balance and it fell incomplete at a Huskie receivers' feet. Sehome took over on offense and ran out the clock to advance in the 2A state football tournament.   

Though the season ended not in the way they would’ve preferred, Hale said he is proud of the work they all put into this season.   

“For the seniors as well, there's a finality to it, that you just can't get everything back, but you just got to stand back and appreciate what the kids did,” he said.   

BOX SCORE:   

SEHM: 7-10-7-0: 24  
OTHL: 8-0-13-0: 21 

    Othello’s RJay Garza (2) lines up at defensive back for the next defensive drive. Garza made several crucial catches on offense as well against Sehome on Saturday.
  

    Tyler Suarez (26) is hoisted in the air by a teammate in celebration of an interception he just made. The Huskies forced two turnovers on Sehome on Saturday.
  

    Tyler Suarez (26) gestures a fastened seatbelt motion after picking off the Sehome quarterback in the second quarter of Saturday’s game.
  

    The Huskies Gavin Carl (5) runs down the sideline on his way to the end zone against Sehome on Saturday.
  

    Julian Ruiz (7) looks to the sideline for the next play call on offense against Sehome on Saturday.