FREDONIA — Humboldt High controlled possession almost from the outset Friday.
But due to an untimely turnover here and a few ill-timed penalties there, the Cubs led only 8-0 over host Fredonia after three quarters.
But the proverbial dam burst down the stretch as Humboldt scored three times in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 30-8 victory.
Junior quarterback Ty Shaughnessy was the main protagonist. He took advantage each time Humboldt’s offensive line opened a gaping hole, and punished a few Yellowjacket defenders when there wasn’t, to the tune of 262 yards of total offense.
He rushed for 201 yards and three scores — all in the fourth quarter — while completing 5 of 7 passes for 61 yards.
Still, it was anybody’s ball game through halftime.
Yellowjacket quarterback Griffyn Salmon connected with receiver Alex Houchin on a 42-yard pass play on the game’s first possession, before Humboldt’s defense stiffened inside the 10. Gavin Gunderman intercepted Salmon’s fourth-and-goal pass into the end zone to give the Cubs possession.
The Cubs then marched 80 yards on 10 plays — all rushes — capped by Broc Ivy’s 4-yard touchdown scamper for an 8-0 lead.
But a holding penalty short-circuited the Cubs’ next possession, and a lengthy drive the next time out ended with a fumble to end the half.
The frustration continued after another lengthy drive to start the third quarter fizzled out with a fumbled pitch, and the score still 8-0.
But Ivy was there for an interception three plays later to give Humboldt possession once again.
Shaughnessy converted a key fourth-down run, and then ran again for eight yards on a third-and-seven. He plowed into the end zone on a 4-yard keeper on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Kacen Lucero then intercepted another Salmon pass two plays later to give the Cubs the ball at midfield.
Back-to-back personal foul penalties against Fredonia set up Shaughnessy’s 1-yard keeper for a 22-0 advantage. By then, Humboldt had run 24 plays from scrimmage after the break; Fredonia had run just five.
The Cubs then held on downs on Fredonia’s next two possessions. Shaughnessy carried three times for 48 yards, the last 13 were good for Humboldt’s final touchdown of the game.
Fredonia’s Clarence Goodman avoided the shutout with a 30-yard touchdown run with 2:26 remaining.
