Oak Harbor ousts G-Prep

A quick start did not portend a happy ending for the Gonzaga Bullpups.

Despite leading 10-0 in the second quarter, their football season came to an end at the hands of the Oak Harbor Wildcats, 14-10, in the State 4A semifinals.

Five different Wildcats were on the receiving end of quarterback Marshall Lobbestael’s timely pinpoint passing.

Lobbestael, who made big plays whenever needed during the game, completed 20 of 25 passes for 200 yards and both scores to rally Oak Harbor to its first state final next week in Tacoma.

“We knew going in he was pretty good,” said Gonzaga coach Dave Carson. “He has a quick release and was tough to defend.”

Lobbestael’s winning score came on a fourth-down 8-yard pass to senior wide receiver Jeff Lamont with 10 minutes, 23 seconds remaining in the game.

But, unlike their previous playoff victories, this time there would be no miracle ending for the Bullpups, even though, in the game’s final 25 seconds they tried to create one. An improvised flea flicker pass and lateral from Max Manix to Phil Joy to John McKenna covered 31 yards, but Lamont stood in the way of it going the distance.

The first half was a tale of two quarters. Gonzaga Prep had the football for 12 of the game’s first 14 minutes in building a 10-0 lead.

The Bullpups ground out 53 yards and used up nearly seven minutes of the first quarter for the game’s initial score. Manix carried five times for 39 yards and the touchdown.

The Bullpups went with a new-look backfield on its next series that used up 5:28 of the clock. Defensive back/receiver David Kries carried five times for 24 yards, but the drive ultimately stalled at the 12-yard line and Gonzaga settled for a field goal with 9:40 remaining until intermission.

“I got a little nervous when we got down 10-0,” said Oak Harbor coach Dave Ward. “But when you throw the ball it’s not too big a deficit to make up.”

Oak Harbor had little success with the run, but when Lobbestael went to the air, he picked the Bullpups apart.

He completed six passes in as many attempts for 60 yards and a touchdown strike to Tony Thulin with 4:53 until halftime.

Still, Prep’s front seven defense, its strength all season long, kept the Wildcats at bay and the Bullpups offense continued to milk the clock in the second half.

Oak Harbor was also up to the task defensively. The Wildcats stopped a Gonzaga second-half march a yard short on fourth-and-2 in the third quarter.

A couple series later, the Wildcats scored their winner. The 52-yard drive included four completions by Lobbestael, one a 22-yarder to Lamont over the middle that opened the march.

Lamont not only had six catches for 51 yards, but he came up big on defense, stopping Gonzaga 3 yards short on a fourth-down play at the Wildcats 18.

Lobbestael had two third-down completions using most of the game’s final 5:29 and denying a Bullpups rally.

Gonzaga rushed for 193 yards, 110 on 22 carries by Manix and essentially controlled the game’s tempo.

The difference, said Carson, was Oak Harbor’s ability to convert on third downs and Prep’s missing on its two second-half fourth-downs.

“Those were two good football teams. They made the plays and we didn’t,” he said. “We had a great season, but I feel sad for the seniors. They are very special. They wanted to go next week, but came up just short.”

Oak Harbor 14, G-Prep 10

GP-Manix 3 run (Barker kick)

GP-FG Barker 29

OH-Thulin 13 pass from Lobbestael (Johnston kick)

OH-Lamont 8 pass from Lobbestael (Johnston kick)

Individual statistics

Rushing-Oak Harbor, Valencia 15-55, Burleson 3-9, Lobbestael 2-5, Thulin 1-4, TEAM 1-(minus 3). Gonzaga Prep, Manix 22-110, Condon 10-31, Kries 6-26, McKenna 1-9, Lee 2-7, Jones 2-5, Orlando 1-2, Wilcoxen 1-2, Karwacki 2-1.

Passing-Oak Harbor, Lobbestael 20-25-0-200. Gonzaga Prep, Manix 7-11-0-51.

Receiving-Oak Harbor, Thulin 6-70, Lamont 6-51, Rumble 4-52, Kays 3-21, Rouser 1-6. Gonzaga Prep, Karwacki 3-15, Joy 2-28, Alexander 1-7, Weber 1-1.