Wellpinit ends Tigers' football season

WELLPINIT - The Redskins eliminated Odessa 54-28 Friday, Nov. 3, ending the Tigers' season.

Wellpinit (8-1) advanced to the state 1B football playoffs. Wellpinit's speed was on display from the start.

On its second play from scrimmage, Kaden McCrea broke free and outran the Tigers' defenders on his 43 yard sprint to the end zone. Jace Lavoto's run up the middle tacked on two more points.

After 6-4 Odessa's three -and-out, quarterback Grant Denison hit Andrew Moyer with a 40-yard strike for another touchdown. The 2-point conversion made the score 16-0.

After the ensuing kickoff, Odessa took possession of the ball at its own 30 yard line. Quarterback Zane McMillan spun and pitched the ball to Corbyn Neilson, who dropped it.

The ball bounced back into his arms and he raced 70 yards to put the Tigers on the scoreboard and within 10 points of the Redskins.

At the end of the first quarter, Wellpinit led 16-6.

The Redskins scored right out of the gate in the second quarter. Denison tossed a swing pass to Moyer, who ran down the left sideline for a 42-yard touchdown.

With the successful conversion, Wellpinit upped its lead to 22-6 with 10:20 left in the first half.

During the Tigers next drive, Sean Devore came in at quarterback when McMillan hobbled off the field with an injury. He drove his team from the 46-yard line down to the nine.

From there, Chad Strebeck carried the ball into the end zone to make the score 22-12.

With 4:13 left in the half, Odessa attempted an onside kick that was recovered by Devore.

The Tigers capitalized on their excellent field position. Strebeck ran for 12 yards, followed by Neilson's eight.

Next, Strebeck bulled through the heart of the defense to score from 30 yards out. After Strebeck added the two-point conversion, Wellpinit's lead was 22-20.

Looking for a quick score, Denison hit Carter Hughes on a 50 yard bomb to put the Redskins five yards from the Tigers' goal line with 1:30 left in the half. Odessa's defense stiffened and forced a fumble, keeping Wellpinit from scoring.

On the next play, Devore dropped back to pass and fumbled the ball in the end zone. Wellpinit recovered the ball for a touchdown, giving them a 30-20 halftime lead.

14 seconds into the second half, Wellpinit scored again on a 50-yard run by McCrea, giving his team a 38-20 advantage.

A few minutes later, Strebeck broke through congestion and sprinted down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown. Devore scored Odessa's final two points of the game on a quarterback sweep.

With 10:40 left in the third quarter, Wellpinit led 38-28.

Wellpinit scored two more touchdowns to secure the 54-28 win and a trip to the state playoffs.

"We played our hearts out today," McMillan said.

"This was a tough loss but the season with these boys was a joyride for me," Odessa head coach Joe Schlomer said.

He reserved special praise for seniors Strebeck, McMillan, Dakota Steward and James Scrubbs.

"These guys helped me with absolutely everything this season," he said. "I couldn't be more proud of them."

"We had a tough start not knowing who our coach would be," Strebeck said. "We are so glad Joe (Schlomer), Charles (Short) and Colley (Walter) stepped in. They gave us this season and a chance to play football."