The Rams had almost twice as many first downs as University and had more than 100 more yards of total offense. How could it not lead to a victory in Saturday’s 3A state quarterfinals?
Those numbers didn’t reflect it in the final score -- a 23-13 University victory over North Thurston in Saturday night’s 3A state quarterfinal game at University High School, ending the Rams’ season at 9-3 and one win away from being one of the final four teams left in the Class 3A playoffs.
The Rams had a 287-176 advantage over University in total offense, and had 21 first downs compared to the Titans’ 11.
North Thurston had a chance in the final seconds of the first half to tie the game at 7-all going into the locker room. Trailing 7-0 and facing a fourth-and-10 from the University 11, quarterback Ryan Mets found Hicks. The catch was good enough for the first down, as Hick stretched to get the ball over the goal-line, but the officials ruled it inches short as the first-half expired.
“That was crucial,” said North Thurston coach Rocky Patchin, whose team held a 118-84 first-half advantage in total offense, despite trailing by seven.
Hicks’ play was the momentum shifter. In less than a 2-minute span to begin the third quarter, the Titans (8-4) scored two touchdowns -- the first on a 90-yard kickoff return by Adrian Bronner, followed by a 4-yard run on a Jeff Beaty quarterback keeper with 10 minutes, 2 seconds left in the third quarter that extended the Titans’ lead to 21-0. It was part of a 16-point third quarter, as the team also earned a safety.
Seniors Mo Manning (7-yard run) and Brandon Belisario (3-yard run) scored the Rams’ touchdowns. Belisario’s run came with 3:11 left that brought the score to within 10 at 23-13.
