HUMBOLDT — As tough as things had been going for much of the first three quarters, Humboldt High was poised to turn the tables down the stretch.
The Cubs had been outgained 242 yards to 30 by the mid-point of the third quarter, and their first explosive play of the game, a 46-yard halfback pass from Mason Miller ended in disaster when Cherryvale punched the ball loose on the tackle and recovered the fumble.
But Humboldt’s defense stiffened, forcing a punt, and the Cubs regained possession.
Humboldt’s Broc Ivy broke free for a 24-yard scamper on the third play of the fourth quarter, followed one snap later by Ty Shaughnessy’s 11-yard touchdown run to pull Humboldt to within 20-14 with 10:47 left in the game.
A rejuvenated Cub defense then forced Cherryvale into a third-and-13 play, in which Charger Wyatt Duncan was stopped just shy of the first-down marker, while losing control of the ball in the process.
But Cherryvale lineman Reece Clay prevailed in a scrum for the ball, allowing the Chargers to keep possession at midfield.
Duncan took full advantage of his second chance, rumbling through for 10 yards on fourth-and-two to keep possession.
The Chargers then chewed off another 4 minutes of game clock before Duncan rambled in on a 12-yard touchdown jaunt to stretch its lead to 28-14 with 3:09 left.
Cherryvale added a late score for good measure to take home a 34-14 victory.
The non-district loss drops Humboldt to 4-3.
THE CHARGERS held possession for much of the first half, but led only 12-8 in the process.
After the Cubs were forced to punt on their first possession, Cherryvale marched 69 yards on 16 plays, capped by a 6-yard scoring pass to Duncan from Remington John.
The Cubs didn’t wait long to respond. Gavin Gunderman collected the ensuing kickoff and immediately spotted a seam along the left sideline. He raced untouched for 71 yards to give the Cubs an 8-6 lead.
Undaunted, the Chargers again put together a lengthy drive, covering 80 yards on 14 plays, finished off by John’s 6-yard touchdown run.
The teams traded interceptions late in the half, but Humboldt’s defense held down the stretch, snuffing a Charger drive at the 17 as time ran out.
The Chargers looked to stretch their lead after the break, but a penalty nullified a 44-yard touchdown pass from John to Zeke Thornton on fourth down. Cherryvale wound up punting on the next play.
