Saxons use late first-half flurry to pull away from NC

The football game between Ferris and North Central turned in a matter of 2 minutes late in the first half Friday.

The Indians pulled within 14-12 before Ferris used a big play and a turnover to score 10 points for a comfortable cushion as the Saxons prevailed 31-12 in a Greater Spokane League game at Joe Albi Stadium.

The win allowed Ferris (4-1) to move into a tie for second with Mead and Central Valley.

After the flurry to finish the first half, Ferris’ defense took over in the final two quarters, shutting out the Indians (1-4), whose postseason hopes were dealt a blow.

The Saxons’ improvement can be linked somewhat to the progression of junior quarterback Christian Olson, who split time at the position on the junior varsity last year.

Olson passed for 199 yards, completing 17 of 24 attempts, with a 75-yard touchdown pass to speedy sophomore Jalen Hicks.

NC played Ferris even until the final 2 minutes of the first half.

In the space of 1:55, the Saxons scored a touchdown to go with a 24-yard field goal by Clayton Paull.

The Indians pulled within 14-12 when NC junior quarterback Jake Hoffman hit Quinn Zerba on an 8-yard TD pass. NC attempted to tie the score, but the 2-point attempt failed.

On Ferris’ first play on the ensuing series, Hicks got past an NC cornerback and Olson dropped the ball to him in stride for the 75-yard TD connection that made it 21-12.

On NC’s next play, Paull intercepted Hoffman. It appeared Ferris would punch in another TD, but the Saxons faced a fourth-and-1 at NC’s 7-yard line. Ferris opted for the field-goal attempt and Paull converted.

“Christian did a really good job of reading it,” Ferris coach Jim Sharkey said of the long score. “NC is a one- high-safety team and he got the safety to move with his eyes and we had one-on-one (with Hicks). Christian has come a long ways in that respect. He made a great read and knew what he was going to do.”

“Coming into this year there was nothing really secured for me,” Olson said. “I had to work hard and (Coach) Sharkey gave me the chance to do what I love to do. I’m just trying to take advantage of it every game. Everything I do comes out of team. So if the team doesn’t progress I feel I didn’t progress myself.”