Quarterback Preston Iverson stretches for the goal line bringing the ball within striking distance for the Hornets. Iverson rushed for 72 yards on 20 carries in the State playoff game against White Swan. Photo by Gary DeVon

OROVILLE – The Hornets’ 37 to seven victory over the White Swan Cougars gives them a third seed in the State playoffs and sets them up for a game against Waitsburg/Prescott Cardinals at Waitsburg High School on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.

“The defense stepped up and played a great game,” said Hornet Coach Tam Hutchinson about the White Swan game. “Tyler Clark had his best game this year with 10 primary tackles and five assist.”

The first two points of the game came from the defense with a Safety with 1:09 left on the clock in the first quarter. Nick Perez rushed three yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter and Preston Iverson kicked a successful Point After Touchdown (PAT). Iverson, the quarterback, then completed a successful 14-yard pass to CJ Mathews for the next TD of the game and the PAT was good. The Hornets and Cougars went to the locker rooms at halftime with Oroville leading 16 to zero.

“Preston’s 44-yard run late in the first half, really set the tone offensively for the rest of the game,” Hutchinson said.

Perez scored first for the Hornets on a two-yard rush and the kick was good in the third quarter. The score was 23 to zero going into the fourth quarter.

Mathews had an eight-yard rush and scored with 10:00 on the clock and the PAT was successful. The Hornets final touchdown came with 3:56 remaining in the fourth and was a one-yard rush from QB Iverson, who also kicked for another point – Hornets 37, Cougars 0.

With the second squad playing for the Hornets, White Swan put their first points on the scoreboard on a five-yard rush by senior Caleb Spencer. They converted for two points and the game ended 37 to eight.

“The offense played well, despite having two early touchdowns called back, they stayed focused and continued to move the ball giving us that early 16-0 lead,” said Hutchinson.

Perez ran hard gaining 123 yards rushing, according to Hutchinson. Iverson had the next highest rushing after Perez with 72 yards on 20 carries, followed by Mathews with 44 on six carries.

“CJ Mathews made big plays, including an eight-yard TD run and a 14-yard TD reception from Iverson. Jose Velasco and Matt Egerton also had good games on both side of the ball,” said the coach.