Wilson scores 4 TD's: Badgers defeat Spartans in 3 OT's

Zach Wilson runs crazy for season high 273 yards and four touchdowns as the varsity dumps Spartans in Priest River after three OTs, 34-32.       

Who would have ever thought that the Varsity could ever have a better game than the Moscow victory at homecoming? Well, last Friday’s game at least equaled the Moscow performance or, I am sure that some will say it bettered it. 

Ending the football season, the varsity traveled to Priest River to take on the Spartans in league play.

Expecting a hard fought battle on foreign territory, and with the added fact it was Priest Rivers Senior Night, the Badgers came out with the realization that it was going to take every bit of pride and determination they could muster. They were right. On the second play from scrimmage the Spartans threw a long slant pass that went for 46 yards and a TD. 

The two point conversion was good giving the Priest River Spartans the lead early in the first quarter 8-0. The Badgers took control of the ball, but after a couple set of downs were forced to punt the ball back to the Priest River team. 

It didn’t take long for the Spartans to strike again. Within minutes the QB fired another well placed pass to the right side of the field in Badger territory that went for another score.

The kick for the PAT failed and the score stood with the Spartans on top of the Badgers by 14. It was here that the Badger defense knew they had to stop the Priest River offense or it was going to be a long night.  The defense dug in and held the Spartans scoreless for the remainder of the first quarter and all of the second quarter. 

The teams went in at half time with the score still showing the Spartans ahead of the Badgers 14-0. When the Badgers came out for the second half it was an entirely different team with an attitude. 

The battle ensued and the play see-sawed back and forth for all the third period with neither team crossing the stripe for points. Then in the final period the Badgers took control of the game with sheer pride and determination.

On third down with the ball in the possession of the Spartans, Alex Aubrey broke over the left side and knocked down a pass intended for the back on a swing route.  The Spartans were forced to punt. 

After a good return by Zach Wilson to the Badger 43, the team came alive. With 7:30 left in regulation play the Badgers offense pounded their way down the field behind bulldozing blocks. 

When the Badgers crossed into the red zone, it was Zach Wilson who found pay dirt from five yards out for the six. The try for the two point conversion failed and the score was now 14-6 in favor of the Spartans. 

Once again the Badgers held the Spartans to three and out. With less than four minutes remaining to play the Blue Pride once again drove the field down to the Spartan 25-yard line.

Two running plays picked up five yards. Time was running out and the Badgers had a third down and five from the 20 yard line. A first down was needed to keep the drive alive.

Coach Clint Arthur dialed in a wide receiver slant to Ray Maas in hopes of getting the first and stopping the clock. The ball was snapped and Maas shot across the field and was hit with a perfectly thrown pass.  Maas broke away from two defenders and left them standing in his dust as he crossed the stripe for a TD.

The two-point conversion was good and the score with less than two minutes was now Badgers 14 and the Priest River Spartans, 14. For the next 1:40 both teams attempted to score but as the gun signaled the end of regulation play the score board read 14-14.

For the first overtime Priest River won the toss and elected to be on offense first.  The Spartans started at the 10-yard line and after two plays the QB lobbed a pass to the left side of the end zone and hit his receiver for six points. The kick for the PAT failed after it was blocked by the Badger defense. 

The score was Priest River 20-14 over Bonners Ferry. Now it was the Badgers turn, and now it became the Zach Wilson show. Starting at the 10 yard line the Badgers drove to the five on two plays.

On third down Wilson burst off the left side and into the end zone tying the score. The Badgers went for the two point conversion but failed, sending the contest into the second overtime with the score at 20 all. This time the Badgers got the ball first and on the second snap it was Wilson again from five yards out for the score. 

The Badgers were up by six and needed just two and a half yards to put the pressure on the Spartans. The try for the two pointer failed again and the score was 26 to 20 in favor of the Badgers.

The Spartans had to answer and on the first play of their drive, the Spartan QB found his receiver once again in the end zone for the six points tying the game at 26. Now the Spartans had the chance to end the game with a PAT. he teams lined up for what was to be the final play of the game.

The ball was snapped to the holder, the kicker approached the ball and solidly connected, but the stout Badger defense again blocked the kick sending the game into the third overtime.

The Spartans had possession first and attempted to run against the Badgers. The first play resulted in a one yard gain.  On the second attempt the Spartan running back made it to the six yard line. On the next play the QB found his favorite receiver again for six points.

The score was now Spartans 32- Badgers 26.  With hearts pounding in the stands, on the sidelines, and on the field the Badgers again started at the 10-yard line.

Now it was time to prove to themselves that they had what it takes to come back. On the second play of the possession Zach Wilson again found the stripe for six and another tie game. Once more the Badgers had the chance to walk off the field in victory and only needed seven feet of real estate to get the win. The Blue pride lined up for the charge.

The Spartans dug in on defense, keying on Wilson in the backfield. The ball was snapped and the Priest River defense moved in to take Wilson down, but he did not get the carry. Matthew Hemslee took the skin, flashed passed the defenders, broke into the end zone for the two points and the victory for the Badgers.

The defensive play of the Badgers was also spectacular in this contest with awesome displays of talent coupled with a big dose of pride.

On the D side of the ball we again hear the name of Wilson who tallied four solo tackles, and four assists as well as picking an interception for a 10-yard return. 

Adam Lund had two solos, and five assists with Hunter Borer picking up three solos, and one assist.  Carmen Krichbaum turned in two unassisted, and four assisted tackles. Aubrey added to the count with two solos, five assists, and one pass knock down.

The final score after three overtimes was Badgers 34 – Spartans 32. What a game. What an ending. What a team. Go Badgers.