Football: University tops North Thurston, 23-13, in 3A quartefinals; Rams' season ends at 9-3

SPOKANE -- In perhaps the first time all season, North Thurston’s stat sheet lied.

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.