EVERETT -- Here is the Class 2A state quarterfinal preview of the Othello Huskies vs. Archbishop Murphy Wildcats (10-1).
1:30 p.m. Saturday, Memorial Stadium, Everett.
Head coaches: Othello, Roger Hoell; Archbishop Murphy, Dave Ward.
Leagues: Othello, Central Washington Athletic League; Archbishop Murphy, Cascade Conference
Next opponent: Prosser-Ellensburg winner.
Last week: Othello 14, Steilacoom 0; Archbishop Murphy 41, Tumwater 6.
Playoff appearances: Othello 20, Archbishop Murphy 8.
Last playoff appearance: Othello 2010 (lost first round), Archbishop Murphy 2010 (lost title game)
Deepest advancement: Othello, title game (1998, W, Elma 53-21; 2001, L, Elma 43-22; 2004, W, Yakima East Valley 31-21); Archbishop Murphy, title game (2002, W, Royal 35-14; 2003, W, Zillah 20-0; 2005, L, Pullman 28-24; 2010, L, Tumwater 34-14)
Previous playoff meetings: None.
Othello leaders: RB Caleb Garza, senior (170 carries for 1,379 yards and 15 TDs); FB Joey Gomez, senior (15 TDs); QB David Garza, junior (89-173-8--1,377 yards and 18 TDs); WR Juston Lind, junior (28 receptions for 512 yards and 6 TDs).
Archbishop Murphy leaders: QB Hans VanderWel, junior; RB Liko Tevaga, junior; RB/DL Morgan Masanda, junior; RB Conner Kruse, senior; RB Alex Galgano, junior.
Notes: Othello is in the midst of its deepest run since 2009, when the Huskies lost to West Valley 28-22. ... The Huskies have won eight consecutive games since opening 1-2 with losses at Connell (20-15) and at Prosser (33-14). ... The two teams have one common opponent in Ellensburg. Othello beat Ellensburg 41-7 in Week 10, while Archbishop Murphy beat Ellensburg 56-13 in Week 1. ... The Wildcats are coming off a surprisingly easy victory at defending Class 2A champion Tumwater last week. Tumwater defeated Archbishop Murphy in the state final last season. ... Both teams are similar as they have stout running games and excellent run defenses, so figure this game to be won by the quarterbacks. ... VanderWel took over as quarterback for Kruse midway through the season.
