Defense, late drive key come-from-behind effort

SPRINGDALE – The Oroville football team’s defense stiffened and the offense put together its best drive of the young season when it needed it most as the Hornets edged Mary Walker in Springdale on Friday, Sept. 7, 19-12.

The Hornets chewed up nearly eight minutes of the fourth quarter while driving 65 yards, capped by Luke Kindred’s 1-yard touchdown run that snapped a 12-12 tie. Dustin Nigg’s PAT gave the Hornets a seven-point advantage.

The Chargers had one last chance to tie or take the lead, driving inside the Hornets’ 20 in the final minutes. But three consecutive sacks, including one by freshman Charlie Arrigoni, and a fourth down pass knocked down by Boone McKinney, ended the Mary Walker threat.

The Hornets scored quickly in the first quarter as Nigg’s 15-yard run finished off a four-play, 73-yard drive and gave Oroville a 6-0 lead. Angel Camacho’s 57-yard pass reception from Kindred set up the score.

Mary Walker scored twice in the second quarter on runs by Charger quarterback Anderson on a pair of drives that totaled just 60 yards. Two Oroville turnovers gave the Chargers prime field position.

The Hornets trailed 12-6 and Mary Walker was driving when Sean DeWitte plowed into the Springdale quarterback as he attempted an option pitch. Nigg scooped up the ensuing fumble and returned it 82 yards for the game-tying score with 1:14 left in the third quarter. The extra point kick failed, but Oroville (1-1) quickly got the ball back to set up its winning drive.

Nigg finished with 62 yards rushing on 10 carries. Kindred completed 5-of-10 passes for 87 yards and added 34 yards rushing. Camacho caught two passes for 72 yards and Tanner Smith had three grabs for 15 yards.

Defensively, Kindred was in on 11 total tackles and deflected three passes; Smith was in on 10 tackles and had a sack; Nigg was in on seven tackles and had an interception in return to his fumble return for a touchdown; Jake Scott had six tackles and recovered a fumble; and Sean DeWitte had two tackles and a sack.

The Hornets host Davenport (1-1) on Friday, Sept. 14.

See also: Central Washington League standings and scores