Bears see season come to abrupt end

C. Kitsap cashes in on its opportunities

By Aaron Wasser | For The Olympian • Published November 16, 2008

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When the Olympia High football team looks back on the game that ended its 2008 season there will inevitably be a few "what ifs."

Squandered chances on offense and timely execution from Central Kitsap both played a part in sending the No. 3 ranked Bears home for the remainder of the Washington Class 4A state playoffs Friday in a 14-10 loss in front of a near capacity crowd at Ingersoll Stadium.

"We made some mistakes, and Central Kitsap played a great football game," said Olympia coach Bill Beattie, whose team finished the season 10-1. "They came after us; hit us hard on both sides of the ball. We had some opportunities that we didn't take care of. We didn't turn them into points."

Central Kitsap did.

A 94-yard kickoff return by H'arion Gaulden put the Cougars (8-3) on the board. And a four-yard touchdown run from Howard McDonald with 6:34 left in the game put Central Kitsap up for good and set up a trip to the quarterfinals for the first time in the school's history at the 4A level.

"Our guys played tough," Central Kitsap coach Mark Keel said. "It's a good defense and we told our kids all week that we were going to have to work hard up front to beat these guys, to move the ball. I think in the second half we realized that and the guys started working.

While the Cougars offense showed up in spurts, the Bears' offense never really got going.

Olympia quarterback Willie Willard threw two first quarter interceptions and didn't complete a pass until he hooked up with Numia Magalei for a 68-yard touchdown reception that put Olympia back on top, 10-7, at the 8:01 mark in the third quarter. A 29-yard Sam Bingaman field goal was the only other offense of the night for the Bears.

Penalties also played a part as Olympia was flagged eight times, none bigger than a would-be Andrew Lankow fumble return for a touchdown that was called back after a block in the back during the return. That erased score instead resulted in a missed 30-yard field goal with 3:23 left in the third.

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