Washougal used a second-half comeback, capped by a controversial touchdown play, to beat Clarkston 14-13 in a Class 2A state football playoff game in Clarkston on Saturday.
Brevan Bea scored on a 2-yard touchdown run on third-and-goal with about a minute to play. Peter Boylan’s PAT kick gave Washougal its first lead.
However, video shows that a whistle was blown seconds before the ball was snapped and continued to be blown after the snap. It caused all the players on the field to stop momentarily, before Bea, who took a direct snap from center, continued toward the end zone, working his way over the goal line.
The officials conferred afterwards and allowed the touchdown to stand.
T. Berry’s interception near midfield sealed the victory a few plays later.
Clarktston took a 13-0 halftime lead on touchdowns by Eddie Berglund and Will Sliger.
Washougal cut the deficit to 13-7 when Bea caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Dalton Payne in the third quarter.
It stayed that way until Clarkston punted to Washougal with about five minutes to play, and the Panthers took over on their own 44.
Bea caught a 17-yard pass to the Clarkston 10 and a penalty gave the Panthers first down on the 5.
Boylan ran to the 2, then was held for no gain, as Washougal called timeout with 1:02 left and third down.
That set up Bea’s controversial touchdown.
The victory was Washougal’s first in the state tournament since 1974. The Panthers (7-4) advance to play Lynden or Othello in the quarterfinals next weekend.
WASHOUGAL 14, CLARKSTON 13
Washougal 0 0 7 7—14
Clarkston 0 13 0 0—13
Second quarter
C — Eddie Berglund 1 run (S. Baiye kick)
C — Will Sliger 3 run (kick failed)
Third quarter
W — Brevan Bea 13 pass from Dalton Payne (Peter Boylan kick)
Fourth quarter
W — Bea 2 run (Boylan kick)
