Weiser comes up short in 42-33 loss to Timberlake

The 3A state playoff quarterfinal game between Weiser and Timberlake on Saturday was a predictably high-scoring contest that went back and forth and ended with the Tigers getting the win over the Wolverines, 42-33.
 It could have just as easily gone the other way. Weiser came prepared to play, putting up five touchdowns on the scoreboard and and matching the Tigers score for score.
 In possibly the biggest play of the game, Weiser had the chance to tie the game at 35 in the fourth quarter with a two-point conversion, but couldn’t get the ball into the endzone. That all but sealed the Wolverines’ fate with time running out and ended their post-season play.
 The shootout at Spirit Lake was full of long sustained drives down the field and big plays by both offenses. Neither team ran away with the game. Weiser collected 390 yards of offense to Timberlake’s 436 of offensive production.
 Weiser scored first and did it fast. It took just two plays on the Wolverines’ first possession to put points on the scoreboard and take the early lead.
 After Caleb Harris returned a punt back to the Tigers’ 30-yard-line, Weiser had great field position to start the drive. Quarterback Brett Spencer hit receiver Caleb Harris for a 29-yard pass play that put the ball on the 1-yard-line.
 Senior Layten Tolman punched the ball in for the first of his three touchdowns in the game with a 2-yard run into the endzone.
 The Tigers answered with a touchdown on their next possession. Timberlake quarterback Joey Follini ran it in himself after a methodical 80-yard drive down the field in nine plays to get inside the Weiser 10-yard-line. The score was tied at 7-7 with 5:11 left in the first quarter.
 It was Weiser’s turn to score again. Spencer connected with a sprinting Harris for a 58-yard pass play that resulted in a touchdown and a 14-7 lead over Timberlake. Harris had his best receiving game of the year, grabbing seven passes for 147 yards and one touchdown.
 The Tigers scored after moving the ball down the field. Follini hit Louis Powell for a 12-yard touchdown reception to tied the score at 14-14 in the first quarter.
 Weiser’s defense couldn’t contain Timberlake’s runningbacks and quarterback Follini and his ability to roll out and get yardage. The Tigers scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to Weiser’s one touchdown in the period. One Timberlake touchdown followed a Weiser fumble.
 Tolman scored his second rushing touchdown with 6:58 left in the second quarter on a 11 yard run into the endzone. Tolman had 12 carries for 71 yards in the game. Weiser was down 35-21 at halftime.
 The Wolverines did a good job of shutting down the Tigers’ offensive in the third quarter. Weiser scored the only touchdown of the third quarter on a 15-yard rushing touchdown by power fullback Tolman, who would not be denied the endzone. The extra point was missed and Weiser still trailed 35-27 at the end of the third quarter.
 With time running out in the fourth quarter, Weiser quarterback Spencer found Tim Reed open for a 30-yard touchdown reception. The Wolverines were just two points away from a whole new ballgame if they could tie the score at 35-35 with two minutes left. Weiser went with a running play and was unable to get into the endzone.
 On their next possession, Timberlake’s Louis Powell broke one open and ran for 53 yards and a touchdown to make it 42-33.
 Weiser needed two scores, a nearly impossible task even for the never say never Wolverines and the clock ran out with the Tigers holding on to the lead.
 For Weiser, Spencer had his best passing game this year. He went 13-for-25 for 272 yards and two touchdowns in the air. He was held to minus two yards running the ball.
 Harris had 147 receiving yards and one touchdown, followed by Tim Reed, who caught four passes for 61 yards and one touchdown. Kooper von Brethorst grabbed two passes for 60 yards.
 Tolman led the Wolverines in rushing yards with 71. Jack Burke had nine carries for 40 yards, and Willy Shirts had three touches for four yards.
 Harris also had a big night on special teams. He ran one punt back for 26 yards and six kick returns for 135 yards. Von Brethorst ran one kickoff back for 23 yards.
 Sy York had an interception for Weiser on defense.
 The Tigers will meet Homedale, another Snake River Valley Conference team, in the semi-final game. It is a rematch of last year’s semi-final game. Both Timberlake and Homedale remain unbeaten.