West Side had all the motivation it needed. No other 2A team in the state could match the determination of the Pirates in 2014.
No one.
But, gosh, did Aberdeen ever come close.
In Monday’s 2A state title game at Holt Arena, Aberdeen was making its first championship game appearance since 1978.
West Side’s seniors had been working to this point since last November.
“Last year, we were really disappointed,” said Pirates running back Wyatt Beckstead, referring to West Side’s 21-15 loss to Declo in the 2013 championship game. “It was really rough. But as soon as it was over, we said we were going to bounce back, come back and get another state title.”
So that’s what they did.
Behind a crucial passing game and a gutsy defensive performance, West Side held off Aberdeen 16-6 to win its fifth 2A football title since 1977.
“It’s my life-long dream,’ said West Side lineman Mason Gittins. “Ever since fourth grade, ever since the start of football, I’ve wanted to be the No. 1 state champs and now that we’ve achieved that I can’t even wrap my mind around it.”
Wrap your mind around this.
West Side, a program that prides itself on defense, discipline and its ability to run the football won a championship because of its passing game. Quarterback Peyton Brown and his right arm were just the kind of difference the Pirates needed against Aberdeen’s aggressive, relentless defense.
When the Pirates snuck past the Tigers 12-8 in their regular season meeting in October, they were held to 29 rushing yards.
Neither team could consistently move the ball on the ground against one another on Monday either. The defensive lines and linebackers were too good, too fast — too prepared.
That’s where Brown came in.
“We knew that we’d have to throw the football to soften up their defense,” said West Side coach Tyson Moser.
Brown was especially good in the first half, connecting on passes to five different receivers. He threw for 98 yards and one touchdown, a 4-yard strike to Marcus Turnbow with four seconds left in the second quarter.
After Jantz Ebanez smashed his way in for the two-point conversation, the Pirates led 16-0.
“Peyton, he’s our first quarterback who’s been able to throw in a while,” said Beckstead, who ran for 103 yards and one touchdown. “He just works really hard and that really helps us diversify our offense. It’s really nice to have a throwing aspect.”
Brown’s TD pass to Turnbow capped off a first half dominated by West Side. The Pirates had outgained Aberdeen 186-60.
Where Brown’s arm was the difference in the opening two quarters, West Side’s defense did the job in the final two.
Aberdeen controlled possession throughout the second half, driving down to the Pirates’ 3-yard line midway through the third quarter. But once the Tigers pushed their way into a scoring opportunity, everything feel part.
Ebanez darted into the backfield to tackle Aberdeen’s Ethan Elliott for a 2-yard loss. Josh King took down Christian Bravo 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage on the next play. Just like that, Aberdeen was pushed back to the 8 on fourth down.
After a false start, the Tigers were all the way back to the 13 and forced into a throwing situation. Unlike West Side, Aberdeen could never rely on the pass.
Tigers quarterback Rylan Beck went 0 for 6 and threw one interception. One of his errant throws was on that fourth-down play from the 13.
“Huge goal line stand,” Moser said. “If they get that touchdown the momentum right there was huge.”
The entire game was like that for West Side. The Pirates held Aberdeen to 151 yards of offense and Aberdeen never threatened to get back into the game.
West Side was committed to reach the state championship game. This time it was all about finishing.
“They watched Declo celebrate with the banner and the trophy and they’ve been hungry for it ever since,” Moser said. “They wanted to get back to this game. And they wanted to win it this time. It feels very good to accomplish that. It’s a whole year’s work and you finally get your pay for it.”
West Side 16, Aberdeen 6
Aberdeen 0 0 0 6 — 6
West Side 0 16 0 0 — 16
Scoring Summary
Second Quarter
WS — Wyatt Beckstead 11 run (Jantz Ebanez catch from Peyton Brown) 6:50
WS — Marcus Turnbow 4 catch from Peyton Brown (Jantz Ebanez run) :04
Fourth Quarter
AB — Christian Bravo 5 run (run failed) 11:54
Individual stats
Rushing: Aberdeen — Hillario Carrillo 12-69, Ethan Elliot 10-72, Christian Bravo 6-18-1, Rylan Beck 8-(-7), Jared Carrasco 1-0. West Side — Wyatt Beckstead 19-103-1, Jantz Ebanez 11-58, Peyton Brown 3-(-18).
Receiving: West Side — Wyatt Bowles 1-2, Jantz Ebanez 3-29, Wyatt Beckstead 3-38, Josh King 2-26, Marcus Turnbow 1-4-1.
Peyton Brown 1-(-5)
Passing: Aberdeen — Rylan Beck 0-6-0-0-1. West Side — Peyton Brown 10-17-99-1-1, Mitch Beckstead 1-1-(-5)-0-0.