Unranked Omak Wins 2A Semifinal

Omak’s Greg Cate opened the second overtime with a 1-yard touchdown run and then teammate Curtis Hulbert intercepted an Othello pass as the unranked Pioneers upended the second-ranked Huskies 28-21 in the State 2A football semifinals at Albi Stadium on Friday.

Cate set up his winning touchdown with a 13-yard run.

On the ensuing possession of the Kansas tiebreaker overtime, Othello picked up a first down on an option left by quarterback Joe Brandenburg that was wiped out by a clip, putting the ball back on the 28. On the next play, the Huskies tried a halfback pass but Hulbert picked off Greg Kirkwood’s throw.

In the first overtime, Kirkwood scored on a 5-yard option pitch from Brandenburg and then kicked the extra point.

On Omak’s possession, Nathan Neddo completed a long third-down pass and another on fourth down to get the ball to the 3. After three running plays gained nothing, Neddo hit Brandt Kaemingk for a 3-yard score. Derek Desjardins made the kick.

Omak grabbed a 14-7 lead late in the third quarter on a 2-yard run by Chris Allen. The 40-yard drive was set up by a punt the Pioneers downed on the 1. The defense then stopped the Huskies on three straight plays to gain good field possession.

Othello matched that with a 62-yard, eight play drive capped by quarterback Brandenburg’s 10-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter. The drive was highlighted by a 28-yard pass from Jay Nicley to Tyson Cutforth on a fake punt.

Othello then stopped the Pioneers and Kirkwood returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown, only to have a clip wipe out the return and put the Huskies back on their 11.

Omak also lost a chance in regulation when the Pioneers were penalized for a substitution infraction on fourth-and-inches near midfield. Omak had to punt with under 6 minutes left.

There were five turnovers in the first half, which ended 7-7.

Omak 28, Othello 21, (2OT)

Othello 0 7 0 7 7 0 - 21

Omak 0 7 7 0 7 7 - 28

Omak - Cate 1 run (Desjardins kick) Othello - McCourtie 5 run (Kirkwood kick) Omak - Allen 2 run (Desjardins kick) Othello - Brandenburg 10 run (Kirkwood kick) Othello - Kirkwood 5 run (Kirkwood kick) Omak - Kaemingk 3 pass from Neddo (Desjardins kick) Omak - Cate 1 run (Desjardins kick)