HUMBOLDT — Through the years, there have been two area high schools — Pittsburg’s St. Mary’s Colgan and Wellsville — that have proven to be thorns in the side of Humboldt High’s postseason aspirations.
The Cubs earned a bit of redemption last Thursday with a thrilling 48-36 win over Colgan in their Class 2A playoff opener, a victory not secured until a defensive stand inside the Humboldt 10 in the last 2 minutes.
Of course, conquering one old foe sets the stage for the other.
Next up Friday is a trip to unbeaten and third-ranked Wellsville. The Eagles (9-0) have yet to allow a team to finish within 20 points of their score, and have outscored their last three opponents by a collective 137-6 (including a 40-0 shutout over the Cubs on Oct. 15).
And, as if the odds weren’t tough enough, Humboldt (6-3) goes into Friday’s regional final without the services of starting quarterback Gavin Page, who exited the Colgan game with a knee injury.
But overcoming adversity is nothing new for the Cubs, who have repeatedly turned to younger and younger players over the past two seasons, and usually with better odds of success each time out.
“We’re gonna go through growing pains, and we have had growing pains,” head coach Logan Wyrick said. “I’m playing more freshmen in key roles this year than probably my previous six years combined.
“But if you’d have told me I’d be starting four freshmen going into a regional championship — and still feel pretty good about it — I’d probably say you’re crazy.”
Still, one can’t help but take note of what Humboldt has accomplished this season, and have a bit of optimism that the Cubs can offer a better showing against Wellsville the second time around.
There’s a reason for that.
The Oct. 15 shutout was a bit more competitive than the final score might indicate.
On three occasions, Humboldt had the ball deep in Eagle territory before penalties, missed blocks and missed passes reared their ugly heads.
“We talked about that when we watched (the replay) on film,” Wyrick said. “We shot ourselves in the foot, with a big negative play, or if a penalty pushed us back.”
Those miscues — part of the aforementioned growing pains — were largely eliminated last week against Colgan.
“We need to take care of the football, run the ball like we can, and eliminate big plays on defense. That’s been our mantra all year.”
Even more impressive, that higher level of play came on a wet and windy playing field.
Wyrick singled out the play of sophomore center Garren Goodner for his clean snaps on a night begging for fumbles.
