Colts storm back, lose 38-35 in OT to Wildcats
SPRINGFIELD – The Thurston Colts fell at home to the Wilsonville Wildcats 38-35 in overtime Friday night in a rematch of last year’s 5A semifinal matchup.
The Colts came into the season with only three returning starters, and the lack of experience showed early. Sophomore quarterback Noah Blair was sacked on the third play of the game and fumbled the ball, with the Wildcats scooping up the ball and returning it for a touchdown. The Colts got the ball back, only for senior running back Darien Witham to fumble the ball as well, with the Wildcats recovering again. Luckily for Witham, Wilsonville quarterback Kallen Gutridge fumbled the very next play – after a long run inside the red zone – and the Colts got the ball back.
After a quick three-and-out by the Colts, the Wildcats then drove for a touchdown, making the score 13-0 only six minutes into the game. Thurston was able to stop the bleeding with a Connor Nevin field goal to start the second quarter, and then scored later in the quarter on a 10-yard pass from Blair to junior tight end Luke Newell.
Up 13-10 with 3:40 left in the first half, the Wildcats went on a run. A big kick return led to a 37-yard touchdown run by senior wide receiver Cooper Hiday. The Colts then went three-and-out again, and Wilsonville scored immediately on a 74-yard catch and run by Hiday to head into half up 26-10.
The Wildcats received the kickoff to start the second half and drove right down the field for a touchdown to make it 32-10 with over eight minutes left in the third quarter. It appeared the Wildcats might run away from the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last year.
But the Colts made their move.
After struggling in the first half, Blair came out firing in the third quarter. He hit Newell for a 32-yard gain that set up a 19-yard touchdown run by Will Dau. Blair would then throw two touchdowns, a 13-yard screen pass to Dau and a 24-yard toss to Kodi Warlaw. The Colts’ offensive flurry culminated with a 2-point conversion to tie the game at 32 with 11 minutes left in the final quarter.
It wasn’t only the Colts’ offense that roared to life in the second half; Thurston’s defense held the Wildcats scoreless for the last 20 minutes of regulation.
Both teams missed chances in the final minutes to win the game in regulation. The Colts were driving for a game-winning score deep in Wildcats territory when Blair threw an interception with under a minute left. The Wildcats moved the ball quickly and – with a receiver all by himself near the end zone – their quarterback threw a ball that was difficult to catch and dropped it in the final seconds.
Thurston got the ball first in the OT period, and failed to get a first down; Nevin converted the field goal as the ball skimmed off the left upright and went through. The Colts’ only lead of the game wouldn’t last long as Wilsonville scored on a Gutridge quarterback sweep to win the game 38-35.
COLTS STATISTICS: Noah Blair, 21-of-28, 306 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; Darien Witham, 17 carries, 108 yards; Walker Bonar, 10 receptions, 130 yards; Luke Newell, 4 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD; Will Dau, 2 carries, 22 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches, 37 yards, 1 TD.
