By the skin of their teeth

MOSES LAKE-The Tigers were almost the victims of a shooting star, but Odessa managed to hold on to win a wild state 1B quarterfinal game 76-74 against the Naselle Comets at Lions Field Saturday, Nov. 19.

Naselle scored 11 touchdowns but failed conversion tries seven times.

The Tigers scored ten touchdowns and successfully converted eight point after tries, which ended up the difference in the game.

Odessa seniors Gage Starkel and Collin Martin were driving forces, with sophomore Corbyn Neilsen at their heels.

Gage Starkel scored a 42-yard with a successful two-point just 45 seconds into the game. It was his first of five rushing touchdowns Saturday.

Starkel's final rush put Odessa up 76-62 with 6:05 left in the game.

But standout Naselle running back Kolten Linstrum scored his whopping sixth touchdown on a 12-yard catch from brother Jacob Linstrum three and a half minutes later to cut into Odessa's deficit.

Odessa fans had reason to sweat in the frigid temperatures when the Comets recovered the ensuing onside kick.

The sweat was flowing more when Luke Johnson caught a 10-yard touchdown pass to make it 76-74.

Naselle converted the two-point conversion, but it was called back for a holding penalty. The second try was no good.

Odessa just needed to run out the clock after recovering the next onside kick, but Starkel fumbled at the Naselle 49-yard line with 1:28.

Needing a stand to keep its undefeated season hopes alive, the Odessa defense came through for the first time all game. The Tigers forced a turnover on downs to hang on by the skin of their teeth.

Starkel, fresh off the field, was still feeling the adrenaline after the game.

"That was exhilarating!" Starkel said. "We pulled it together."

Martin said he was looking forward to the next game.

"I am looking forward to the game against Mossyrock or Liberty Bell," Martin said. "I feel terrific about this game."

Coach Jeff Nelson says there's still room for improvement.

"We got lucky," Nelson said. "I am glad we won, but we got lucky."

Odessa will face Liberty Bell in the state semifinals back at Lions Field in Moses Lake on Saturday, Nov. 27 at noon.

The Mountain Lions thrashed Mossyrock last Saturday 54-20.

The matchup between Odessa and Liberty Bell will be the second between the schools from District 7 and District 6 this season. The Tigers held off the Mountain Lions 42-22 in the first game of the season Sept. 2.