Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Lake City claims overtime victory

Three times Capital had the football inside the 1-yard line in overtime, including no more than 2 inches from the goal line on fourth down, and Lake City’s defense held.

The Timberwolves watched a 34-24 lead dissolve in the final minute, but Lake City pulled out a 41-34 victory in the State 5A quarterfinal Friday night.

Second-ranked Lake City (9-1) travels to Mountain View (8-2) next Friday in the semifinals.

Capital’s players and coaches were stunned, not believing what they saw as the referees ruled the Eagles short of the goal line three times after they gained 9 yards on their first play.

The T-Wolves, who couldn’t contain Capital (8-3) in the first half, found a way to slow the Eagles down the final two quarters. But the defensive stand by LC’s front four in overtime was nothing short of spectacular.

“You just have to give these guys credit. We’re not always the biggest, we may not always be the best, but they just find a way,” LC coach Van Troxel said of his defense. “Early in the game Capital ran up and down the field. We got into the small box (overtime) and, boy, did they raise up and they played their tails off. That’s what winners do.”

LC had the ball first in overtime. Jerry Louie-McGee, lined up as a single back, took three handoffs, scoring from 2 yards out for what would prove to be the winning margin.

“I’m very frustrated right now (with) how it ended,” Capital coach Todd Simis said. “We were in (the end zone) three times is what it looked like. But that’s a judgment call, and when the ball is this far away (inches) …. Lake City’s a good football team. Credit to them.”

Capital moved through the Timberwolves like they weren’t even there in the first half, piling up 347 yards total offense with 260 on the ground. The Eagles led 24-20 at halftime and it felt like the margin should have been bigger.

For two quarters, LC didn’t have a defensive answer.

Troxel said his team’s adjustments were simple. His players needed to tackle better.

LC bounced back from halftime and needed just three plays to regain the lead. Quarterback Michael Goggin hit receiver Colin Hunter on an 18-yard touchdown pass, putting the T-Wolves ahead 27-24.

The T-Wolves took their biggest lead at 34-24 when running back Kirk McKenzie leaped over a Capital defender to complete a 4-yard TD run with 8:24 remaining in the game.

The TD was set up by a 41-yard punt return from Louie-McGee.

LC safety Drew Shipley intercepted a deep pass ending Capital’s next possession with 6:51 to go.

The T-Wolves tried to chew up as much time as possible on their ensuing possession, but punted. Capital took over at its 17 with 2:53 remaining.

Two LC penalties aided Capital’s drive. Finally with 50 seconds to go on fourth-and-goal at the T-Wolves’ 9, Poulson rolled left and seemingly threw against his body to Sam Brixey, who found a spot in the end zone.

With everyone knowing what was coming next, Capital recovered an onside kick at LC’s 49.

Capital drove to LC’s 12. With 4 seconds to go, the Eagles’ Colby Larson kicked a 29-yard field goal to send the game to overtime.

The Eagles finished with 601 yards total offense to LC’s 318.

“We made mistakes,” Simis said. “It was a heckuva football game. We had our chances. It’s just frustrating the way it ended.”

The T-Wolves managed to calm themselves after the frenetic finish in regulation.

“What we talked about before we went into overtime (was) we’ve got to do whatever it takes to get the job done,” Troxel said.