OTHELLO — With the Othello Huskies leading 21-14 after a competitive first half, the Shadle Park Highlanders kicked off to start the second half. The ball went to Othello’s Sonny Asu.

Asu said he told his teammates at halftime that he would angle for the sideline if the ball came to him on the second half kickoff. It did, and he did.

“I saw my blockers spread out in front of me, pushing back,” Asu said.

He worked his way down the sideline and cut back about midfield.

“And it was off to the races,” Asu said.

80 yards later Asu crossed the goal line, increasing Othello’s lead to 28-14 on the way to a convincing 48-14 win. With the win Othello advances to the round of 16 in the 2022 2A state football playoffs.

(The sprint left Asu temporarily winded; his teammates gathered around him on the sidelines, but had to delay their celebration for a couple of minutes while he caught his breath.)

Othello defensive coordinator Kevin Hale said Shadle Park played tough early on and had the Othello coaches a little worried at halftime.

“Shadle Park played a heck of a first half,” Hale said.

The Huskies dominated the second half, however, holding the Highlanders scoreless. Hale said Othello held Shadle Park to about 30 yards of total offense in the second half.

“It was really a tale of two halves,” Hale said.

Othello took a 7-0 lead when Julian Alegria scored from 22 yards out with 6:22 left in the first quarter. Shadle Park quickly came back, however, Beckett Ensminger scoring a 12-yard touchdown to tie the game.

Othello regained the lead when Asu scored on a nine-yard run with 10:58 left in the second quarter. The touchdown followed a drive that featured a 23-yard run by Alex Medina and a 16-yard run by Julian Alegria. Brandon Garza’s extra point attempt hit the crossbar, however, and the Huskies led 13-7.

On the next drive Shadle Park faced fourth-and-14, and not only converted but scored on a 26-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good and the Highlanders took the lead.

Hale said Othello defensive players missed some assignments, especially in the first half.

“I give (Shadle Park) credit,” he said. “They exploited our mistakes.”

Othello took the lead back with 1:33 left in the first half, Asu running the ball in from nine yards out. The touchdown was set up by a 40-yard pass from quarterback Maddox Martinez to wide receiver Adriel Deleon. The two-point conversion was successful and Othello led 21-14 at the half.

After Asu’s kick return, Othello recovered a fumble on the Shadle Park 30 yard line, then converted a fourth down with a 16-yard gain; Alex Mendez scored on a 13-yard run to give Othello a 35-14 lead.

Shadle Park had little luck generating offense as the half wore on.

“The defense did a great job taking over in the second half,” Othello coach Roger Hoell told the team in the post-game huddle.

“On to state,” Hoell added.

Othello’s next opponent, as well as the date, time and location of the game, was announced on Sunday, after the Herald deadline.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].

Box Score

Othello 7 14 13 14 48

Shadle Park 7 7 0 0 14