12/7/2024
#1 Okanogan Bulldogs 52, #3 Napavine Tigers 21
(Seattle, WA) The 2B Championship was one of only two rematches from last year and the senior-heavy 1-seed Okanogan Bulldogs were ready to defend their title against the 3-seed Napavine Tigers.
The Tigers came out strong with an impressive opening drive that started on their own 23-yard line. QB Grady Wilson ran it in from the 4 to cap the 15-play, 77-yard drive. Pablo Ruedas kicked the PAT and it was 7-0 with 5:11 to go in the 1st chewing up nearly 7 minutes of the 1st half.
Okanogan responded with their own long drive of 70 yards taking 7:45. The drive was set up with an in the trenches battle and run game but the scoring play was a 34-yard strike from QB Carter Kuchenbuch to Ryan Goyne. Kuckenbuch ran in the 2-point conversion and the Bulldogs led 8-7.
The 2 teams would exchange possessions and it looked like the 8-7 score would hold up going to halftime as with just 8 seconds to play Okanogan had the ball on the Napavine 39 and was 4th down. Kuchenbuch dropped back to pass and floated a perfect pass inside the 5 to Taige Mendenhall who then spun and scored with 1 second remaining in the half. Kuchenbuch ran in the PAT and at the half, it was 16-7.
The Bulldogs began with the ball in the 3rd and they quickly added to their lead just 1:22 into the quarter when Kuchenbuch broke free and raced in from the 34. This time the PAT was short but the Bulldogs led 22-7.
After a Napavine fumble, Okanogan took over on the Tigers 28 and pounded the ball down the field in 7 plays with Kuchenbuch plowing in from the 3. Kuchenbuch then hit Austin Morgan for the 2-point conversion and the Bulldogs were in full control leading 30-7.
Napavine’s narrowing hopes were kept alive on the proceeding kick-off when Colin Shields found a big opening and burst through returning the kick-off 89 yards. The Tigers would try for 2 but failed and it was a 30-13 lead.
The Bulldogs then put their final stamp on this game with 3 straight scores to blow the game open. Okanogan would get an interception by Kuchenbuch who returned it for a touchdown but a holding call brought it back and they also took over on downs. Kuchenbuch ran one in from the 19 and then added the two-point conversion to push the lead to 38-13.
Mendenhall caught his 2nd touchdown of the game a 22-yard strike from Kuchenbuch the PAT failed. The Bulldogs capped their scoring with another passing score and this time Wadyn Brown was on the other end of the Kuchenbuch pass. Kuchenbuch added the 2 points and Okanogan led 52-13.
Napavine added a final touchdown when Caleb Von Pressentin sprinted in from the 19 and Beckett Landram scored the 2 points and that was the final score 52-21.
Our Thorbeckes MVP was clearly Carter Kuchenbuch who ran 20 times for 157 yards and 3 touchdowns and threw for 142 yards and 4 TD’s going 8-11. Kuchenbuch either ran or threw for 7 touchdowns and scored five 2-point conversions and had a direct hand in scoring all 52 points. Kuchenbuch also had an interception on the defensive line in the second half to cement his status as Game MVP with outstanding play on both sides of the ball.
The win gives Okanogan their 5th State Championship, 4 at the 2B level and 1 as a 1A school. Head Coach Erick Judd had big expectations for this team since they won it last year and the core group of an astounding 26 seniors stuck together and finished what they began holding up the big trophy for the 2nd year in a row. It is Judd’s 4th state title as Head Coach and 2nd time winning back-to-back State Championships.
Napavine Head Coach Josh Fay went through losing a large number of starters to graduation last year but will graduate just 9 and will likely need to be dealt with again next season. This was Napavine’s 9th appearance in the Championship game under Fay and 4th in a row.
For a complete look at the full box score or completed bracket click the links below along with a link to the full broadcast on the NFHS Network.
Link to full game broadcast on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
ESN Postgame Show
ESN talks with Game MVP, Okanogan’s Carter Kuchenbuch
ESN talks with Okanogan’s Head Coach, Erick Judd
Video Highlights
Napavine’s Grady Wilson Scores First TD Of The Championship
Okanogan’s Carter Kuchenbuch Finds Taige Mendenhall For Touchdown With One Second Left In First Half
Okanogan’s Brennan Smith Recovers Fumble On 4th Down
Napavine’s Colin Shields Goes 94 Yards On The Kickoff Return For Touchdown
Carter Kuchenbuch Refuses To Go Down En Route To Another TD Run
Photo Gallery
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