OROVILLE – After starting the season with six straight wins, and then dropping three in a row, the Oroville Hornets got back in the win column in a come from behind 21-18 victory over the Soap Lake Eagles.
The Hornets who were up 13-0 early in the second quarter, gave up 18 straight points before regaining the lead half way through the fourth quarter.
The Hornets took the opening kick off back to the 27 yard line where they fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. Soap Lake took over on the Hornets 29 yard line and threw a quick screen to the right side. Oroville’s Blaine Wagner came up hard and threw the receiver for a three-yard loss. Three plays later Oroville took over on their 30 yard line. Eight plays later the Hornets scored on a 22-yard pass from quarterback Preston Iverson to Brandon Funston. The extra point kick by Iverson was good.
Following the kick off, Soap Lake moved the ball back down to the Hornet’s 28, where the defense held and Oroville offense took over. Once again the ball was lost when they fumbled on the fourth play. The Hornets defense again held and as the first quarter ended Oroville had the ball on their own 20 yard. On third and five from their own 25 yard line, QB Iverson ran an option to the right side, then cut back and went 75 yards for the touchdown with wide receiver Funston making the final block at the ten yard line. The extra point kick was blocked With 10 minutes left in the half Oroville was up 13-0.
Soap Lake took over on the 40 after the kick off and went 60 yards on eight plays with David Coreas going the last 15 yards for the score. PAT was wide. Soap Lake intercepted an Iverson pass on their 22 yard line. On third and 13 from their own 44, Eagle QB Kyler Moats threw a short pass over the middle to receiver Billy Overall who took it down the sideline for a 56 yard pass/run score. The two point conversion was stopped. Oroville took over with 43 seconds left in the half moving the ball down to the 18 yard line as time expired. Half time score, 13-12 Oroville.
The Hornets had to kick off from their own 25 yard line as a result of a 15-yard penalty for coming out late. The Eagles returned the ball back to the 50 yard line. Using inside reverses and short passes they moved down the field with QB Moats going the last yard for the score. The two point conversion pass was intercepted by Funston. The score was 18-13 Soap Lake. The Hornet offense came back, but the drive stalled at the Eagles 29. Soap Lake moved the ball to the 49, where a QB sack by Caleb Whiteaker led to an Eagle short punt from their own 43 yard line. Oroville once again moved the ball only to be intercepted at the 30 yard line as the fourth quarter started. On the Eagle’s second play, Oroville linebacker, Matt Studard, blitzed hard creating a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Blaine Wagner. Oroville took over on the Eagles 30 yard line. Seven plays later Nicky Perez went three yards for the score. On the two point conversion, Perez again went three yards for the two points, giving Oroville a 21-18 lead.
Soap Lake was again moving the ball, when Oroville linebacker, Eric Ruiz, caused another fumble recovered by defensive end Charlie DeMartino. The Hornets took over with 1:37 left in the game. With eleven seconds left, on a fourth and twelve, from the 43 yard line, Preston Iverson went back to punt. Iverson kept the ball and ran around right end for 15 yards and the first down. The game ended with Oroville letting the clock run out. Final score 21-18, Oroville.
Nicky Perez led all rushers with 156 yards on 34 carries. Preston Iverson added 130 on 15 carries, while completing 3 passes for 39 yards. Soap Lake’s Victor Guzman rushed 96 yards on 17 attempts, while teammate Josh Canode added another 36 on 5 rushes. The Eagle’s David Coreas had 26 yards rushing on 7 attempts. QB Kyler Moats completed 6 passes on 17 attempts for 117 yards.
Defensively for the Hornets, Senior linebacker, Wagner led all tacklers with 10 primaries, four assists, two tackles for losses and a fumble recovery. Senior strong safety Anthony Egerton had five primaries and three assist. Defensive tackle, Tyler Clark, four primaries, four assist and caused a fumble. Sophomores Whiteaker and Perez each had three primaries and a QB sack. The Hornets season record of seven wins is their best since 1997. With a 6-3 league record the Hornets placed fourth in the North Central Washington 2B league.
The players, coaches, and cheerleaders would like to thank everyone for their support and attendance at games. This is the last game for our seniors, Anthony Egerton, Brandon Funston, Eric Ruiz, four year starter Blaine Wagner and four year cheerleader Laurel Griffin. The 2009 Football Awards will be held Thursday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Oroville High School Commons.