SEATTLE — It’s not easy for a first-year school to play its first playoff game against a perennial power like O’Dea, but that’s what Glacier Peak had to do on Saturday.
There would not be a story book ending on this night for the Grizzlies, as O’Dea dominated the game from the opening kick.
O’Dea (8-2) used early turnovers to put up the games first 21 points, never looking back en route to the 47-14 victory over Glacier Peak (5-5).
“It was a good win for us,” O’Dea coach Monte Kohler said.
“I was pretty happy the defense only gave up seven in the first half.”
“Once O’Dea gets up on you, and Monte gets up on you, he’s going to grind you,” Glacier Peak coach Rory Rosenbach said after the game.
The Fighting Irish started the onslaught early in the first quarter after intercepting quarterback Zach Richter’s pass. Irish quarterback Gabe Lee quickly capitalized on the Grizzlies’ mistake when he scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper.
Glacier Peak’s hurry-up no-huddle offense was unable to get anything going, meanwhile O’Dea was putting up points and eating up the clock. They scored on long drives and capitalized on three first-half turnovers.
O’Dea also delivered a one-two punch of tailback and fullback all night. Tailback Justin Forch started it off with two first-quarter touchdowns, fullback Zach Fogerson kept it going with several big runs, including a 35-yard romp. Fogerson finished with 104 yards on 13 rushes and a touchdown.
“I like what the kids did tonight between the tailback and the fullback,” O’Dea coach Monte Kohler said.
Glacier Peak looked like they might get something going as the second quarter began, as they quickly moved the ball down the field for a touchdown.
Following the touchdown Glacier Peak attempted an onside kick, which failed. Within four minutes O’Dea was back in end zone and piling it on once again, taking a 41-7 lead at the half.
There was little action from either team in the second half.
Glacier Peak’s offensive highlights were two Richter touchdown passes, both to Tanner Southard.
Rosenbach said that Glacier Peak had a difficult time stopping the inside run game.
“Monte had a great game plan, he found a spot he liked and attacked it all night,” Rosenbach said.
The upside for Glacier Peak is that the Grizzlies were a playoff team in their first year as a school, and there were no seniors on this year’s team.
“I am incredibly proud of these kids and what they accomplished. They worked hard everyday and we got better every week. I am very optimistic about the future of this program,” Rosenbach said.
“I’d be pretty happy right now, they got better throughout,” Kohler said.
At Seattle Memorial Stadium
Glacier Peak0707—14
O’Dea212060—47
O’Dea—Lee 1 run (Grady kick)
O’Dea—Forch 16 run (Grady kick)
O’Dea—Forch 14 run (Grady kick)
GP—Southard 11 pass from Richter (Miller kick)
O’Dea—Buhrman 15 pass from Lee (Grady kick)
O’Dea—Fogerson 1 run (Grady kick)
O’Dea—Welch 9 pass from Lee (kick failed)
O’Dea—Chavez Espinoza 23 pass from Lee (kick failed)
GP—Southard 10 pass from Richter (Miller kick)
Records—Glacier Peak 5-5 overall. O’Dea 8-2.
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