Fogerson on loss: "I feel it was my fault"

TACOMA — Johri Fogerson didn't want to talk about everything he did for O'Dea in the Class 3A state-championship game Friday night.

Not the 297 yards, a 3A championship-game record.

Not the four touchdowns.

Instead, Fogerson was focused on what he didn't do — lead the Irish to the title.

"I felt I let them down," the senior running back said after the 42-35 loss. "I told them I'd put them on the back and we fell short, so I feel it was my fault."

Fogerson was the only one who felt that way.

"He's a heck of a football player," O'Dea coach Monte Kohler said.

Fogerson had a Houdini night, scoring on a 12-yard run when it looked as though he was stopped near the line of scrimmage. Time and time again, it looked as though the Spartans had him bottled up, then Fogerson would pop the cork and explode downfield.

"We had trouble tackling him," Skyline coach Steve Gervais said. "He's a great back and we didn't tackle very well. You've got to give him credit, too."

Fogerson was inconsolable after watching a 28-7 lead fade into a 42-35 defeat, the lone blemish on O'Dea's season. He wouldn't speak with anyone immediately after the trophy presentation, storming off the field.

But after a prolonged postgame talk, the senior running back was able to share his feelings. There was a sense of pride for giving the Spartans their toughest game of the year.

"We earned our warrior status tonight," he said. "We just fell short. But that's all right. They'll be back next year. I promise you."

Lineman Ed Pelzer, the 335-pound anchor of the O'Dea line, could barely put one foot in front of the other as he agonizingly left the football field.

"This is a hard one," he said. "There's no coming back."

That Skyline comeback seemed improbable, but the Irish knew better than to celebrate too early.

"It's a championship game," Pelzer said. "You can't relax."

There was a bit of an empty feeling in his stomach.

"We got most of our goals, except the big one," Pelzer said. "The one we wanted the most, we didn't get."

Fogerson had an unforgettable night, but what he'll remember most is this season, this team.

"It's the best team I've ever played on," he said. "We're one big family. We love each other."

Skyline took the victory, the one the Irish thought was theirs. But there is no taking away the accomplishments of this O'Dea team.

"They can't take our pride," Fogerson said. "No matter what."

Sandy Ringer: sringer@seattletimes.com