Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The state playoff road leads west to Odessa for the Garfield-Palouse Vikings.
Finishing off Colton last Thursday night 44-12 to complete a 7-2 regular season (6-2 in league), Gar-Pal continues on as the No. 3 seed from District 9, one of 16 1B teams in Washington remaining.
Vikings coach Will Woltering will make a second Odessa trip in a week, after scouting the Titans Nov. 7, a loss to Republic 76-14. Odessa-Harrington completed their regular season with District 7’s No. 2 seed.
While Woltering saw a blowout, the Titans were missing a running back who could be a key difference this week.
"I expect to see him Friday night," Woltering said.
Odessa-Harrington will be a familiar foe in style of play.
"They’re real similar to us," Woltering said. They use the I-formation, play action, they’re good at what they do. They have good running backs, that’s for sure."
The Vikings have prepared this week in dropping temperatures which promise to be low in Odessa as well.
In the cold, the game can take on a different feel.
"The ground’s harder, that’s for sure," Woltering said.
Garfield-Palouse 44, Colton 12
Cole Sanderson carried the ball 27 times for 253 yards and four touchdowns in a senior-night victory over the Wildcats Nov. 6.
It was a game Gar-Pal kept mainly on the ground. Quarterback Hunter Woltering only threw three passes, completing one, while rushing for 85 yards. In addition, freshman Travis Knauff ran for 90 yards.
Gar-Pal lost two fumbles inside their 15-yard line in the first half.
"In the second half we played a lot better," said Coach Woltering.
Colton finished the season 3-6 overall (2-6 league).
Sunnyside Christian 38 St. John-Endicott 36
The Eagles came up three points from the goal. Completing a 3-7 season at home last Thursday night, St. John-Endicott couldn’t come up with one more scoring drive to beat the Knights.
In the end, the clock ran out on the goal to get to four wins in 2014, improving on last year’s three.
"We made some mistakes in the first half that cost us some points," said S.J.E. coach Steve Selk.
Trailing 32-12 at the end of the third quarter, the Eagles took momentum in the fourth. With the offensive line opening holes, senior running back Wilson Lundberg scored on touchdown runs of 45, 9 and 37 yards. St. John-Endicott also converted an onside kick.
Lundberg ultimately scored all five of the Eagles’ touchdowns, carrying the ball 30 times for 342 yards in the game.
"Our passing game wasn’t working, so we ran," Selk said.
Lundberg was one of seven seniors who played their final game for the Eagles; Jimmy Hollingshead, Rowdy Brown, Cole Crider, Dakota Gering, Jordan Morris , Skylar Smith and Lundberg.
"They really wanted to ring the bell one more time at home," Selk said, referring to the tradition of ringing the school bell after home victories.
The team finished 3-7 overall (2-5 league).
"I’m pretty proud of the guys for playing as hard as they did all year," Selk said. "The guys battled all season long."
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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