WAITSBURG – The Oroville Hornets watched their bid for a spot at the Tacoma Dome and a chance at the State B Championship fade away with their 13-49 loss to the Waitsburg-Prescott Cardinals last Saturday.
“It was a tough loss and a hard way to end what was a good season. Waitsburg-Prescott was a very good team,” said Hornet Coach Tam Hutchinson. “They passed the ball well and had good receivers. We haven’t played against good passing teams this season, as result we were caught out of position.”
Playing on their home field, Waitsburg-Prescott’s first two touchdowns in the State 2B playoff game were on passes in the first quarter. The first, a 13-yard pass from Zach Bartlow to T.J. Hofer, followed by another pass between the two for a two-point conversion. Bartlow then went to Dalton Estes with a 15-yard pass. Estes kicked the Point After Touchdown (PAT) for another point. Then, WP’s Kris Cady rushed for three yards for a TD. The touchdown had been set up earlier by a 30-yard interception return. The PAT by Estes was also good.
In the second quarter, Bartlow went to Hofer again with a successful 21-yard pass for a TD. PAT kick by Estes was good. For the final points of the half the Cardinal’s Armstrong rushed for a yard and the TD. Este’s kick missed. Waitsburg-Prescott went to the locker rooms with a 35-0 lead over the Hornets.
Coming back on to the field it was still an all-Cardinals game with Bartlow throwing a three-yard pass to Estes for a TD. Estes followed with a successful kick. Bartlow went to Cady on fourth and goal with a successful 39-yard pass for the next touchdown. Estes kick was good. The Cardinals finished the third quarter in the lead 49-0.
Oroville put its first points on the board with 3;38 left on the clock in the fourth. Preston Iverson threw a seven-yard pass to Tyler Clark for a successful TD. Iverson followed with a successful PAT kick. Caleb Whiteaker rushed for 33-yards with 2:38 left on the clock for the Hornet’s final TD of the game – a two point coversion attempt failed.
“Oroville’s cornerback, Tanner Smith, did a good job of sticking with his man all night long, but the 5’9″ freshman couldn’t out jump their 6’3″ senior receiver,” said Coach Hutchison. “The defense did a good job stopping the run, holding the Cardinals to just 40 yards rushing.”
Offensively for the Hornets, Nicky Perez led all rushers with 99 yards. Fullback Jose Velasco added another 58 yards on 8 carries.
“The players and coaches would like to thank the community for all there support this past season,” said Hutchinson.
