Late rush ousts Cubs

Sports

October 31, 2014 - 12:00 AM

HUMBOLDT — Humboldt High’s dreams of a playoff berth crashed unceremoniously in the second half Thursday.
The Cubs could not hold a 21-7 second-half lead against visiting Northeast-Arma. The Vikings converted a key two-point conversion in the fourth quarter to take the lead for the first time. A safety in the waning moments put Humboldt on the wrong side of a 24-21 decision.
The loss drops Humboldt to 4-5. More importantly, the Cubs went 1-2 in Class 3A, District 6 play, eliminating Humboldt from any hopes of a postseason appearance.
“We battled, just came up on the short end,’ Humboldt head coach K.B. Criss said. “I am proud of our kids, and the way they competed and hung in there despite being banged up.”
Northeast’s Antonio Slingluff got things started with a 33-yard touchdown run.
Jacob Carpenter scored the equalizer for the Cubs 90 seconds into the second quarter with an 86-yard touchdown run.
Things looked even brighter when Bryce Isaacs scored from 21 yards away to give the Cubs a 14-7 advantage.
Isaacs scored again midway through the third quarter on a 1-yard run for the 14-point advantage.
The Vikings scored to cut the gap to 21-14 on Troy Howard’s 13-yard dash.
The game turned on a crucial fourth-down play on Humboldt’s next drive.
The Cubs gambled on fourth-and-short at the Northeast 20, instead throwing the ball into the end zone. A Viking defender was there for the easy interception.
Northeast quarterback Drew Mills responded with a 58-yard possession on the Vikings’ next drive. Northeast eschewed an extra-point kick, instead opting for the 2-point try. Mills plowed across the goal line, giving the Vikings a 22-21 lead.
The Cubs never led again.
An intentional grounding penalty pinned Humboldt deep in its territory in the game’s waning moments. The drive ended when Humboldt quarterback Kason Siemens was tackled in the Cub end zone with 1:35 left.
Humboldt nearly missed recovering the ensuing onside kick, but possession instead went to Northeast, which ran out the clock — and the Cubs’ season.
“We missed too many tackles in space,” Criss said. “Credit Northeast’s running and quarterback. They are very elusive and quick runners.”
Carpenter racked up 143 yards on 12 carries to lead Humboldt, while Corey Whitcomb rushed for 52 yards, Isaacs had 32 and Rhett Smith 25. Siemens was 5 of 23 passing for 66 yards. Smith had three catches covering 35 yrds. Isaacs and Zach Vanetta added 20 and 11 yards, respectively with one catch apiece.
Slughluff rushed for 127 yards to pace Northeast. Mills had 80 yards passing and 83 on the ground.
Northeast    7-0-7-10—24
Humboldt    0-14-7-0—21
NE — Slingluff 33 yd run (kick good)
Humboldt — Carpenter 86 yd run (Smith kick)
Humboldt — Isaacs 21 yd run (Smith kick)
Humboldt — Isaacs 1 yd run (Smith kick)
NE — Howard 13 yd run (kick good)
NE — Mills 58 yd run (Mills run)
NE — Safety (Siemens tackled in end zone)
    NE    Humboldt
First Downs    8    11
Rushes-yds    37-237    34-259
Passing yds    93    66
Total offense    330    325
Passing    7-14-1    5-23-1
Fumbles-lost    2-0    0-0
Punts/avg    4-33    3-16

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