Charles Wright Academy wanted desperately to make a statement with a victory against Cedar Park Christian on Friday night in a battle of Top-10 Class 1A teams.
Even when trailing by six, facing a third-and-seemingly forever on the Tarriers’ own 37, and just 35 seconds remaining in the game – that desperation never faded.
“We knew how big this game was,” said Charles Wright quarterback Fritz Jacobson. “Nobody was going to wrestle it away from us.”
Jacobson completed three passes for 63 yards those final 35 seconds, including a TD pass to Colin Reynolds with four ticks remaining. The Tarriers then battled Cedar Park Christian in two overtime periods before rallying to a 27-20 Nisqually league victory at Juanita High School.
The Charles Wright offensive line came up big for Jacobson late in the game. It bought him enough time to find Collin Hungate for a 27 yard reception on a third-and-26 play.
Jacobson connected with Hungate again the next play, finding him 30 yards down the field to the Eagles’ 8, before spiking the ball with 11 seconds to play. Jacobson then rolled out and found Reynolds, who dove for the pylon, got the TD and tied the game at 20.
“That’s what we live and practice for,” Jacobson said. “I knew my guys would come up with it, I just had to make my plays and put the ball in the right spot.”
The Tarriers could have ended the game with an extra point, but the snap bounced to the holder as the point after failed and the game headed to overtime.
Neither team scored in the first OT and Charles Wright got the ball to start the second overtime.
The Tarriers called a half-back pass their first play. Reynolds received the ball and threw to 6-foot-8 Beau Iverson in the back of the end zone with two defenders on him.
Iverson was bigger. Iverson came down with the ball.
Charles Wright coach Mike Finch called it his “special play.” What he meant was his, “throw to the tallest guy on the field and let him get it” play.
The Tarriers forced Cedar Park Christian to turn the ball over on downs in the next possession and Charles Wright players mobbed toward the back of the end zone in celebration.
Charles Wright trailed 20-7 in the third quarter and scored on the final drive of the game after starting on its own 20 with five and a half minutes to play. Cedar Park Christian could have put the game away with a 25-yard field goal with 5:22 remaining, but Nick Ho blocked it, and set the Tarriers up for the game-tying drive.
Charles Wright improved to 4-0 and handed the Eagles their first loss.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.