Lancer theft, point enough to stop hawks

Offensive miscues wiped out a strong defensive effort in Tekoa/Oakesdale/Rosalia’s 7-6 road loss to rival Liberty Friday night at the Lancers’ field.

The Nighthawk defense blanked the Lancer’s offensive attack, with Liberty’s only points coming on an interception return with 7.5 seconds remaining in the first half.

“That one was on the coach,” said TOR Coach Ken Lindgren on his decision not to stall out the clock at the end of the half.

“I should have had them take a knee or run a dive into the line.”

TOR had the ball deep in their own territory with just a few clicks on the clock when quarterback Scott Eberle dropped back for a pass. His toss found the hands of Liberty defensive back Gus Simmons, who ran it back 25 yards for the score.

The Nighthawks mounted a few drives, but they stalled when they neared scoring territory.

Halfback Earl Gaines scampered 25 yards to cross the Liberty goal line with 8:11 left in the third quarter. The extra point kick was blocked to put the `hawks one point back. It turned out to be the decider.

Liberty then took the ball and kept it for a monster drive until the 7:12 mark in the fourth quarter. They added zero points despite the possession time.

TOR took back the ball and drove it into the Liberty side of the field, but the scoring effort was halted by a missed fourth down play.

“We had our chances, we just couldn’t put it together,” said Coach Lindgren. “It just wasn’t in the cards.”

The TOR squad put up some solid individual efforts, but those spots did not come together when needed, said Lindgren.

Gaines topped the offense, carrying the ball for 138 yards on 16 carries.

TOR opens league play at Tekoa tomorrow night, Friday, against Asotin. Coach Lindgren said the perennial powerhouse may be the medicine his team needs right now.

“We have to click. We have to come together. These are league games now,” he said. “Sometimes you need a big strong opponent to focus what you’re doing.”