Brewster dashes Reardan's playoff hopes

BREWSTER - With a state playoff berth on the line, Reardan came up short, losing 14-13 to the Bears in the 2B District 6/7 crossover football game Friday, Nov. 3.

The loss ended the Screaming Eagles' season.

"The boys played their tails off," Reardan head coach Matt Clouse said. "We just made too many mistakes at critical parts of the game to win this one."

Reardan's defense played another solid game, forcing a Brewster fumble early in the first quarter, allowing Reardan to get on the scoreboard first.

Quarterback Rysen Soliday hit running back Aiden Chilson for 15 quick yards and a nifty run by Zander Thornton got the Screaming Eagles close to the Bears' goal line. From there, Soliday kept the ball on an option for the touchdown.

On its next possession, Brewster methodically drove the length of the field that culminated in a 30-yard strike from Brady Wulf to Mario Camacho for a touchdown to tie the game 7-7.

The Bears attempted an onside kick that failed, giving Reardan good field position. Behind solid blocking from the offensive line, Chilson tote the ball play-after-play and ultimately ended up in the end zone for Reardan's second touchdown.

The kick for extra point failed, giving the Screaming Eagles a 13-7 lead.

In the second quarter, Brewster moved the ball down the field but defensive stops by Soliday and Josiah Mendoza forced the Bears into a field goal attempt, which they missed.

Reardan led at halftime 13-7.

In the second half, Wulf hit Colt Gebbers over the middle on a long pass, and then Gebbers shredded the Screaming Eagles' defense with long runs, one of which resulted in a touchdown to give Brewster a 14-13 lead.

Late in the game, clutch plays by Soliday kept Reardan's hope for victory alive. He hit Hunter Flaa for a completion that put the ball inside the Bears' 10-yard line.

With less than a minute to play, Brewster sacked Soliday for a big loss. A holding penalty put the final nail in the Screaming Eagles' coffin, ending the game and their season.

"We are going to miss this group of seniors," Clouse said. "They put in a lot of work and were good examples for our young guys to see how we do things around here. It has been an absolute honor to coach them."

Reardan ended its season with a 5-4 record. Brewster improved to 5-5 and plays Goldendale in the first round of the state playoffs Friday, Nov. 10.