Cusick beats Columbia, plays for state

HUNTERS – The Cusick Panthers football team finished their regular season with a 66-46 win over Columbia Friday, Oct. 31. The win brought the Panthers’ record to 3-2 in league play and 3-4 overall. They finished third in the Northeast 1B North division and sixth in the Northeast 1B League.

First year head coach Dustin Person was happy with the second half of the season. The Panthers have a chance for the state tournament.

“We will play Pomeroy, the second seed, in the crossover game at 5 p.m. on Friday at Pomeroy,” Person says. “The winner of this game will advance to the state tournament.”

Person says Cusick only lost once in the second half of the season, a 6-point loss to Inchelium, who finished first on the Northeast 1B North division.

“With a young coaching staff and a young team, we had a slow start but have been able to finish the back half of the season 3-1,” he says. “Our freshmen have stepped up and have filled some big positions.”

An eighth grader, Evan Seuss, has been starting at defensive back.

Against Columbia, the Panthers got Daniel Lyon back to play split receiver on offense.

“We were able to run the ball at will against them especially when they took a defensive player out of the box to double team Daniel,” Person says. Lyons had seven receptions for 155 yards and three touchdowns. The defense had mixed results against Columbia.

“Our defense was able to stop the run but gave up some big pass plays,” Person says.

Aiden Schubert had five tackles and a forced fumble. Tulmeen Whelsula had five tackles and two fumble recoveries. Mylind Whitford had an interception, a forced fumble and two tackles. He also broke a finger and will miss the game.

Freshman Steven Mathis suffered a concussion on a Columbia onside kick attempt, which drew a 15yard penalty. Mathis is the starting running back and defensive end.

Whitford came in for him at running back and did well, carrying 10 times for 53 yards. He also had five receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown.

Judah Sutton had 28 carries for 266 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Kaden Person completed 13 of 25 passes for 224 yards and four touchdowns and one interception.

Columbia recovered an onside kick, intercepted a pass that was tipped at the line of scrimmage, and forced a turnover on downs after a 10-yard penalty that kept the game closer than it should have been, Person says.

Sutton was named league’s defensive Most Valuable Player and made first team All Opponent running back. Daniel Lyon was named first team All Opponent receiver and second team defensive back. Mylind Whitford was named second team receiver.

Cusick next travels to Pomeroy, the No. 2 seed from the Northeast 1B South conference, for a 5 p.m. game Friday, Nov. 7, with the winner advancing to state.