Oak wins in double overtime

OAK HARBOR – Cash Parker told his coach, Dave Ward, he was ready to win the game.

Then he went out and proved it.

Parker, once the starting place-kicker for the Oak Harbor High School football team, was called upon for spot duty at a pressure-packed moment Friday night in a key Western Conference North game with Marysville-Pilchuck.

Parker kicked the final point-after-touchdown in double overtime to lift Oak Harbor to a 27-26 upset of the Tomahawks.

Parker, who handles kickoff duties, plays defensive back and carries the ball as a back on offense, was Oak Harbor’s starting place-kicker last year. Teammate Cory Fakkema took over that responsibility this season. But, after M-P blocked two of Fakkema’s PATs late in the game, Parker offered his services.

“I saw an opportunity. They kind of looked at me funny, and I said ‘Let me kick. I’ll put it through,’” said Parker, whose team improved to 6-3 overall and 6-2 in division to clinch the North’s No. 2 playoff berth.

Parker was overcome with emotion after the game-winning kick. “I started crying,” he said. “That was the first time I’ve cried from being so happy.”

Parker, who’s fumble on a first-half kickoff return led to an M-P touchdown, didn’t get a chance to redeem himself until Oak Harbor sophomore quarterback Marshall Lobbesteal connected with Cameron Kayes for a 9-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-5 play. That tied the score at 26-26. Lobbesteal also hooked up with Kayes for a 21-yard TD in the first OT.

Marquise Moses scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) for M-P, which fell to 6-2, 7-2. The Tomahawks get the division’s No. 3 playoff berth. Stanwood (7-1, 7-2) snagged the No. 1 spot Friday with a victory over Snohomish (5-3, 6-3).

Moses rushed for two short TDs in the first half, carrying 16 times for 39 yards as M-P built a 14-0 lead. Oak Harbor stormed back with 14 third-quarter points to force overtime, where each team got a chance to score from the 25-yard line.

In the opening OT, Lobbesteal’s first TD pass made it 20-14, but M-P blocked the PAT kick. Oak Harbor seemed to have the victory secured after Dallas Sullivan, Sean O’Brien and Chris Valencia made three consecutive solid defensive plays that left M-P with a fourth-and-12 from the 27. But Moses made a miraculous TD catch that seemed to stretch reality.

Tomahawks quarterback Gary Carrier, who had attempted just three passes up to that point, dropped back and tossed a high-arching spiral toward the left corner of the end zone. Moses turned on the speed to get under the ball, leaped at least three feet in the air and came down with the ball in the end zone among three Oak Harbor defenders. Marysville-Pilchuck had a chance to win, but the Wildcats blocked Todd Stillwell’s kick.

M-P had the ball first in the second OT. Carrier plunged in from 4 yards out to make it 26-20, but Oak Harbor managed to get a hand on Stillwell’s PAT kick.

“Our kids, the second half, found something deep down inside,” Ward said. “They gave us all a thrill tonight. I’m really proud of them.”

Oak Harbor running back Dan Raymond rushed for 110 yards through four quarters.

At Oak Harbor

M-Pilchuck7 7 0 0 66 – 26

Oak Harbor0 0 14 0 6 7 – 27

M-P-Moses 3 run (Stillwell kick)

M-P-Moses 1 run (Stillwell kick)

OH-Sullivan 9 pass from Lobbesteal (Fakkema kick)

OH-Vest 22 run (Fakkema kick)

OH-Kayes 21 pass from Lobbesteal (Fakkema kick blocked)

M-P-Moses 27 pass from Carrier (Stillwell kick blocked)

M-P-Carrier 4 run (Stillwell kick failed)