Blocked kick ends Central's season

ELLENSBURG — A game this important and a season this special shouldn't end like this.

Not when top-ranked Central Washington was scripting yet another unbelievable chapter to its storybook run at perfection and the school's first Division II national football championship.

Saturday's quarterfinal matchup between No.1 seed Central and Northwest Missouri State, the second-ranked and No. 2 seed, seemed destined for overtime.

When Wildcats quarterback Cole Morgan capped a 70-yard, 1:05 drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to receiver Mike Waller, the sold-out crowd of 5,625 at Tomlinson Stadium eagerly awaited an extra period.

Only six seconds remained in regulation.

While coaches on both sidelines prepared for overtime, Bearcats defensive lineman Tyler Roach blocked a low point-after attempt by Wildcats kicker Garrett Rolsma, sealing Central's 21-20 defeat.

The Wildcats (12-1) lost for the first time at home since 2007 and Northwest (12-1) advanced to the semifinals to face the California (Pennsylvania) Vulcans next week.

In the other D-II semifinal, Grand Valley State plays Carson-Newman.

"Everyone thought we were going into OT," Central coach Blaine Bennett said. "We considered going for [a two-point conversion]. I had a good play in mind.

"I just feel that kicking in that situation was a good idea unless weather was bad. Overtime is a great opportunity to win the game."

It was a game played in three parts: Central controlled the first half, NW Missouri dominated the third quarter and Central came up short in the fourth quarter.

Afterward the Wildcats lamented two goal-line deflections in the final period .

Trailing 21-14 with 13:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, Central faced a fourth and 1 at the Bearcats 5. Bennett decided against kicking a field goal, and Morgan's throw over the middle was tipped at the line by NW Missouri linebacker Adam Vondrak.

"I've always wanted points and it seemed like a seven-point game," Bennett said. "The defense was playing so well and I didn't think three points was gonna make the difference."

The play proved to be decisive because Central, which tallied 193 yards in the first half, managed just 144 after halftime and struggled to generate consistent offense.

While the Wildcats offense sputtered, the Bearcats scored 14 unanswered points in the third quarter.

NW Missouri quarterback Blake Bolles, who tallied 164 of his 295 passing yards in the second half, connected with Jake Soy 11 times for 136 yards.

Early in the third quarter, Soy leapt over Central cornerback Courtney Smith in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown reception that tied the score 14-14.

Morgan threw his second interception on the ensuing possession, and the Bearscats drove 73 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.

NW Missouri receiver Jordan Simmons broke free from Smith with a double move along the left sideline and caught a 19-yard pass in the end zone that gave the Bearcats a 21-14 lead with 5:15 left in the third.

"We were in a hold-on mode and that's the worst place," NW Missouri coach Mel Tjeerdsma said. "Hold-on mode is miserable."

All season the Wildcats relied on its defense, which led the nation in fewest points allowed, and a run-oriented, opportunistic offense.

That combination produced a school-record 12 victories, but NW Missouri converted 7 of 10 third-down conversions in the second half and controlled the ball for nearly 19 minutes.

Central running back Randall Eldridge, who scored in the first half on a 1-yard plunge and 12-yard scamper, managed just 35 yards after halftime.

Because NW Missouri stifled Eldridge, Morgan was thrust into the role of savior.

He finished with 250 yards on 21-of-38 passing and looked as if he was going to make amends for a first-quarter interception that was returned 25 yards for a touchdown.

Several of Morgan's passes were off the mark on Central's final drive, but he completed passes for 21 and 19 yards before finding Waller (six catches overall for 88 yards) in the end zone with seconds remaining.

"I wish I hadn't thrown those two picks," Morgan said. "It's been a special season. Guys fought the whole way."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com

NW MISSOURI ST. 21, C. WASHINGTON 20

CWU — Eldridge 1 run (Rolsma kick), 9:50.

NWMSU — Kilgore 25 interception return (Adolf kick), 1:23.

Second quarter

CWU — Eldridge 12 run (Rolsma kick), 13:07.

Third quarter

NWMSU — Soy 15 pass from Bolles (Adolf kick), 10:28.

NWMSU — Simmons 19 pass from Bolles (Adolf kick), 5:15.

Fourth quarter

CWU — Waller 15 pass from Morgan (kick blocked), 0:06.

A — 5,625.

Rushing — NWMSU, Council 27-102, Creason 5-15, Welch 1-3, Team 1-(-2), Simmons 1-(-4), Bolles 7-(-14). CWU, Eldridge 19-69, Kelly 7-24, Dyer 1-2, Morris 2-2, Morgan 1-(-10).

Passing — NWMSU, Bolles 31-40-1-295. CWU, Morgan 21-38-2-250.

Receiving — NWMSU, Soy 11-136, Shaw 6-51, Kilgore 4-29, Council 4-10, Simmons 2-24, Rhodes 2-22, Qaoud 1-18, Shannon 1-5. CWU, Waller 6-88, Eldridge 5-37, Westmoreland 4-69, Spevak 3-30, Helwege 1-19, Hekker 1-5, Morris 1-2.