Whitworth Ends Linfield's NWC Title Hopes

Linfield QB Trevor Scharer completed 20 of 49 attempts for 240 yards but threw a career-high five interceptions.

Linfield’s defense was stellar all game long, six times holding the Pirates on third down plays in the fourth quarter and limiting the hosts to just 14 yards on 17 plays in the final period. Photo courtesy: Linfield Athletics

SPOKANE, Wash. - Whitworth locked up its second straight Northwest Conference championship Saturday at the Pine Bowl, winning a defensive stalemate 10-6 over the No. 12 Linfield Wildcats.

The Pirates (7-2, 5-0 NWC) moved a step closer to a return trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Linfield, which saw its four-game winning streak ended, dropped to 5-3 and 3-2 in conference play.

Pirates defensive back Phillip Entel intercepted three passes and the Whitworth offense played without a turnover, wrestling the title from the Wildcats for the second consecutive year.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Pirates took the early upper hand after defensive back Phillip Entel intercepted Wildcats quarterback Trevor Scharer and returned the ball 32 yards for the game’s only touchdown.

Scott Birkhofer kept the Wildcats close, booting a 47-yard field goal on the ensuing possession. After Scharer drove Linfield to the Whitworth 20, Birkhofer connected on a 37-yard field goal, cutting the margin to 7-6 with 4:26 left in the half.

The first half was a battle of field position, with both teams combining for 10 punts, including six by the Wildcats.

Linfield outgained Whitworth 166-139 in the first half, with Scharer passing for 124 of those yards. Josh Vierra caught six passes during the first two quarters and finished with nine catches for 99 yards in the game.

The only scoring of the second half came on Andy Largent’s 19-yard field goal. The third and fourth quarters were a series of missed opportunities for the Wildcats, who watched several scoring chances go awry.

On their first possession of the third quarter, an apparent go-ahead touchdown pass from Scharer to Josh Vierra was called back by a holding call. Later, the Wildcats appeared to have recovered a fumbled exchange inside Pirates territory, but the ball was blown dead.

Linfield’s defense was stellar all game long, six times holding the Pirates on third down plays in the fourth quarter and limiting the hosts to just 14 yards on 17 plays in the final period.

Linfield outgained Whitworth 323-239, but a blocked Birkhofer field goal and five costly interceptions, including three in the fourth quarter, spelled the Wildcats’ demise.

Linfield got one more chance to win the game with 16 seconds to play but Scharer threw incomplete on three straight bombs down the field.

Pete Cruickshank rushed for 48 yards on 22 carries, but Whitworth defenders Marc Grow (nine tackles) and Justin Rundle (seven tackles) prevented the Wildcats from breaking any big plays.

Scharer completed 20 of 49 attempts for 240 yards but threw a career-high five interceptions. The Pirates kept Linfield out of the end zone on an afternoon with picture-perfect playing conditions.

Pirates running back Chris Ahsing gained 72 yards rushing on 23 carries. Quarterback Kory Kemp completed just 6 of 17 attempts for 112 yards and no interceptions.

NEXT:

The Wildcats wrap up the regular season next Saturday in the annual Hall of Fame game against Lewis & Clark. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The Pirates travel to Puget Sound to face the Loggers Saturday in Tacoma.

Source: Linfield Athletics

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