Next up: Waitsburg-Prescott as Broncos advance to state semis

The WIAA 2B State Semifinals at Lampson Field in Kennewick will feature the hometown team this Saturday, Nov. 24. The LRS Broncos defeated DeSales 21-14 last Saturday to advance to the semifinal battle with Waitsburg-Prescott at 2 p.m.

The Broncos met one of their toughest opponents this season against the DeSales Irish during a rainy outing at Gonzaga Prep early Saturday night. Until than, the Broncos had not allowed a touchdown in the first quarter of any game.

DeSales changed that, pushing the football down the field 60 yards on their first possession and proving their passing game would be formidable when they scored on a 25-yard strike by quarterback Jeremiah Cox to Kyler Pommerening.

The remainder of the first quarter, and much of the second quarter, was a battle of the defenses as both teams were stymied.

Midway through the second quarter the Broncos found an opening and rushed the football within striking distance. Connor O’Neill would be the one to register the touchdown, skipping over a defender and zipping to the outside to score on a one-yard run. Matt Leffel delivered the critical point after kick.

“This was a typical Irish-Broncos football game,” head coach Greg Whitmore said. “It was a good match up in the trenches. We were hoping they couldn’t run the ball and would have to throw. Our kids hung in there even though they were dinged up and battered.”

Both teams were stingy on defense. The Broncos had just 73 yards of total offense, while DeSales recorded 133 yards.

The Irish passing game stung the Broncos early, but they recovered in the second and third quarters.

“It was the first time we were behind from the start,” Whitmore said. “They came out throwing and we were a little tentative. We didn’t want to give up the big play. They did a good job of exploiting our weaknesses and they have five really good receivers.”

After a 7-7 tie at the half, the Broncos were able to gain the lead for the first time in the game, moving the ball 41 yards and putting six points on the board when O’Neill scored from two yards out with 7:38 remaining in the game. Leffel’s kick was good.

In the fourth quarter, the Broncos’ defense stopped DeSales on a short drive and took over on offense from their own 29-yard line. Stitching together a fistful of key plays, the Broncos extended their lead when quarterback Dylan Hartz delivered a toss deep into the end zone to a leaping Ryan Whitmore. Leffel provided his third extra point of the night.

DeSales, known for being lethal, wasn’t conceding anything. Cox came out firing and two plays later fired a laser-guided 51-yard air strike to Pommerening for the Irish’s second score of the night with 10:29 to play.

The Irish were picking on LRS’s Jacob Saetre, streaking down the right side of the field.

It would eventually be their undoing as Saetre enjoyed the last laugh. Late in the fourth quarter, Cox would launch another bomb that Saetre would battle for and eventually intercept. A yellow flag went against him as the Broncos were called for pass interference. The 15-yard penalty and a first down gave the Irish a spark, and they quickly went to work against Saetre a second time. This time, Saetre tipped the ball and while falling, hauled it in for a true interception on the LRS three.

The Broncos got a huge break on offense when Cort Ruzicka busted a dive play for 58 yards taking the football to the DeSales 39. After a couple of key runs by O’Neill, the Broncos could comfortably take a knee and run the clock out, securing a trip to the semis.

“They tried a trick play, a toss, reverse pass and Jacob didn’t bite,” Whitmore said. “He tipped it to himself and that was huge.”

Waitsburg-Prescott will not be an easy foe. They defeated Reardan in their quarterfinal game 39-12.

“They have good skilled kids,” Whitmore said. “The quarterback is new, but some of their kids are real burners when they get in the open field. But, they’ve also been hurt by injuries.”

One injury has really stood out on the LRS roster. Tyler Frederick suffered a broken rib two weeks ago and is out for the remainder of the state playoffs.

Whitmore hopes to use the ground game to put Waitsburg-Prescott on its heels.