Republic Wins; Desales Next

Republic stalwarts Mark Rickard and Danny Hargrave have just one week to heal before their next playoff game.

Considering the way Asotin rallied against Republic on Saturday, the Tigers should be pleased to have another game.

Rickard had a hand in three scores during second-ranked Republic’s 22-15 defeat of Asotin in a State B-11 quarterfinal at Clarkston High.

Republic (11-0) led 22-0 until the ninth-ranked Panthers (8-2) threw for scores with 5:04 and 3:07 left.

Denny Hargrave, filling in for injured brother Danny, rushed for 21 yards during the final possession as Republic notched four first downs to kill the clock.

(Denny) will always rise to the occasion,” said Republic coach Don Beazizo. “He and our offensive line knew they had to step up and take control of the game.”

The Tigers will meet DeSales (10-1) in a semifinal, at 3 p.m. Saturday in Ephrata. DeSales eliminated Oroville 35-7 Saturday at Kennewick.

The Republic-DeSales winner advances to Gridiron Classic II, Dec. 7 at the Tacoma Dome, against either Morton (11-0) or Willapa Valley (11-0).

Republic needs a quick recovery from its top receiver and defensive back, Rickard, and top rusher, Danny Hargrave.

Rickard hurt his backside late in the first quarter while attempting to catch a Jason Baldwin pass. He also reinjured his ankle while trying to stop a 2-point conversion after Asotin’s first touchdown.

“I think maybe we got a little tired in the fourth quarter,” said Rickard, noting that the Tigers were within grasp of their fourth shutout in five games.

Danny Hargrave hurt his Achilles’ tendon right before Rickard kicked a 25-yard field goal late in the second quarter for a 15-0 lead. Hargrave, who had 35 yards on eight carries to that point, fell while hobbling off the field and didn’t return. Beazizo listed him as probable for Saturday’s game.

Hargrave’s presence at linebacker was missed on Asotin’s second score. Panthers quarterback Jeremiah Faught, hassled all day, zipped a short pass to Ben Leavitt playing in Hargrave’s usual position. Leavitt outraced defensive back David Hanks for an 88-yard score.

Within seven points, Asotin chose to boot deep on the kickoff. Republic started on its 27, moved to the Panthers 35 on two big runs and a facemask penalty, then ran out the time.

“We just had to get a couple of first downs and keep the clock moving,” said Republic QB Jason Baldwin, who threw a pair of TD passes to Rickard.

Rickard finished with eight catches for 166 yards. Rickard has 46 TD catches and 3,830 receiving yards for his career. The state record for TD receptions is 49, by Chad Averill of DeSales.

Baldwin, who was 12 of 30 for 201 yards, has thrown 33 of his 72 career TD passes this year. He’s 38 yards short of 6,000 for his career.

Rickard, who was good on his first field goal attempt of the year, also recorded his 32nd career interception. The state record of 33 belongs to Oroville’s Cory Howe.

Asotin’s comeback was remarkable considering a serious injury to senior tight end Will Munden. Munden was hurt while attempting to reach a long pass with 5 seconds left in the first half. He remained on the ground several minutes, and was taken away by ambulance. He reportedly could move his fingers and had feeling in his feet.

Republic 22, Asotin 15

Asotin 0 0 0 15 - 15 Republic 0 15 7 0 - 22

R-Baldwin 1 run (pass failed)

R-Rickard 32 pass from Baldwin (pass failed)

R-Rickard 25 field goal

R-Rickard 61 pass from Baldwin (Fich kick)

A-Fisbeck 10 pass from Faught (Leavitt run)

A-Leavitt 88 pass from Faught (Fisbeck kick)

Bussell lifts Touchet

Senior Jake Bussell threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns Saturday to lead third-ranked Touchet (9-1) to a 36-12 win over Inchelium in a State B-8 quarterfinal at Kennewick.

Bussell connected on 14 of 21 passes and was intercepted twice. Senior Geoff Ford caught two of the TD passes.

Touchet plays second-ranked Crescent (11-0) on Saturday in a semifinal at Ephrata for a berth in Gridiron Classic II.

Fourth-ranked Inchelium (6-3) lost to Touchet in the last two semis.

Touchet held top Hornets rusher Galen Desautel to 8 yards on nine carries. Desautel had rushed for 1,426 yards this year.

Hornets quarterback Jesse Schumacher threw a 69-yard TD pass to Rich Swan in the first quarter and returned a second-quarter kickoff for a 92-yard score. The kickoff return trimmed the lead to 20-12, but Touchet responded with 16 unanswered points.

Touchet won the state title in 1994 and finished second last year.

Touchet 36, Inchelium 12

Touchet 14 14 6 2 - 36 Inchelium 6 6 0 0 - 12

T-Ford 43 pass from Bussell (run failed)

T-Bi.Clarke 51 pass from Bussell (Ford pass from Bussell)

I-Swan 69 pass from Schumacher (pass failed)

T-Miller 21 run (run failed)

I-Schumacher 92 kickoff return (pass failed)

T-Ford 5 pass from Bussell (Miller run)

T-Lomeli 2 run (pass failed)

T-Schumacher sacked in end zone 0 safety

Semifinal set

The B-8 semifinal between Cusick (7-3) and Odessa (10-0) is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Albi Stadium.

The winner meets the Touchet-Crescent winner at Gridiron Classic II, Dec. 6 in the Tacoma Dome.

, DataTimes