Editor’s note: This game story was originally published by content-sharing partner Stat Hound Media, founded by journalist Jerrel Swenning. Support that venture at stathoundmedia.com.
PROSSER, Wash. – You just knew it was going to come down to the final play.
For 47 minutes on Friday night, the visiting eighth-ranked Selah Vikings and the No. 5 Prosser Mustangs were in a bruising battle at Art Fiker Stadium.
A slugfest, if you will.
With Selah trailing 14-10 and holding the football with 3 minutes and 50 seconds remaining at its own 48 yard line, the Vikings went with their star running back, handing senior Calen Wuitschik the ball.
But Wuitschick — who hadn’t really broken loose on this night, but he wasn’t completely contained — got just 4 yards on three plays.
It took a 30-yard pass to Jarrid Scribner to Clayton Bucknell to get Selah into the Red Zone.
On a fourth and 6 from the Prosser 8, it all came down to one final play.
Scribner set up to pass to find a receiver in the end zone. But the ball was deflected by Prosser defender Ben Colgan into the hands of Mustangs teammate Brody Buxton for an interception, a touchback, and a 14-10 victory.
“The play before that, right before they snapped it, I saw (Scribner) looking our way,” said Buxton. “I let Ben know. He deflected it. So really, it was Ben (who made the play).”
Prosser coach Corey Ingvalson looked drained after the game.
Even moreso, he was emotional when he tried to talk to his players at midfield. And he brought up the godfather of Prosser’s program (and Ingvalson’s coach when he was a player).
“This program means a lot to me. Coach (Tom) Moore means lot to me. It’s special to uphold the program and try to live up to that legacy,” said Ingvalson. “These guys work hard to find their identity and culture. And Selah is heck of a team. They got warriors at running back, and they’ve got warriors on the line.”