EPHRATA – The Ephrata Tigers (6-3) earned an impressive 26-20 win over Grandview in overtime during their senior night game Friday. This win helped the Tigers secure their position in the postseason as they compete in the district tournament this weekend. 

“What we tried to talk about all week was that we needed to treat the game like a playoff game,” said Tigers head coach Patrick Mitchell.  

The Tigers got on the board in the first quarter with a two-yard touchdown run from Brady Hendrick. The Tigers then followed this with a two-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Mitchell Morford. Grandview put up a touchdown late in the first quarter with a 60-yard run and tied the game with a six-yard run to end the first half 14-14. 

In the third quarter, the Tigers were once again the first to score, with Brady running 69 yards, but they would fail the two-point conversion, making the score 20-14. Grandview would tie the game with a 44-yard pass and would also fail the two-point conversion.  

With neither team scoring by the end of regulation, the Tigers and Grandview would be pushed into overtime. Brady would secure the win for the Tigers with a 25-yard run to end the game 26-20. 

“We started off hot, everything was clicking, then we had a few breakdowns and didn’t tackle very well,” said Mitchell. “Then we started making a few mistakes on offense and kind of let them get back into it, and to their credit, they played pretty inspired and kind of went punch for punch with us all the way to the end.”  

What won the Tigers the game on Thursday was their rally in the second half, where they stuck together and were committed to the game until the very end, he said. Going forward, the team will need to focus on continuing to execute on all sides of the ball as they head into their first game of the postseason. 

“We were really close at times to putting a big lead together and just a little play here or there or a little mistake and it kind of cost us and it helped keep (Grandview) in the game,” said Mitchell. “I think the thing that we’ve got to learn and get better at is when we get a chance to make a play to really get up on somebody then we’ve got to make that play.” 

He said the senior Tigers' efforts on Thursday for their senior night were very impressive as they stepped up and pushed the team even when things weren’t looking great. This game, he saw Brady show how much he’s grown as a leader this season and was given great protection from the senior linemen Michael Park, Brody Fleurkens and Brice Strickler. 

“Proud of those guys and proud of all of our seniors for all the years and commitment that they put into our program and it’s paying off,” said Mitchell. 

The Tigers are still pushing toward consistently playing a complete game this season, and Mitchell said that push begins at practice. Over the next week, the team will be working hard to be sharper than ever as they prepare for their next opponent. 

Mitchell said he is feeling good about where the team is at as they head into the postseason and is confident that the Tigers can improve to where they need to be in time for their first postseason game.  

“I think the Central Washington Athletic Conference was a really tough league this year, and so to come out of it with a 6-3 record, I thought that our guys did a great job,” he said. “I think we’re ready to make a run here. We still have more to show and I think our guys are hungry and want to continue to improve.” 

The Tigers will play their first game of the postseason on the road against Steilacoom on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the 2A District tournament. 

BOX SCORE:  

EPHR: 14-0-6-0-6: 26
GRAN: 7-7-6-0-0: 20 

    Tigers Owen Fitch (87) and Calvin Lybbert (11) wrap up a Grandview running back. Ephrata won the game 26-20.
  

    Chance Lee (7) runs through Grandview’s defense in Ephrata’s win over Grandview on Thursday.
  

    Tigers quarterback Brady Hendrick looks to pass in Ephrata’s game against Grandview.