Pirates win state championship

AURORA — It took an overtime and a crucial extra point, but the Olathe High Pirates walked away from Legacy Stadium Class 2A state champions Saturday afternoon.

Olathe and Erie battled back and forth before they ended regulation in a 15-15 tie.

Erie got the ball first and rode star tailback Alex Ortega to the end zone as the junior dove in from 2 yards out to give the Tigers (12-2) a 21-15 lead. The Pirates, however, blocked what would be a crucial extra point.

Olathe took the ball and a couple of hand offs to Davey Rhodes set up a 3rd and 2 from the 2-yard line where the senior took the ball in for the game-tying touchdown, making it 21-21.

After having previous extra point attempts blocked, Sergio Salazar lined up for the try and kicked it through the uprights, giving Olathe the 22-21 victory and its first football championship since teams were classified back in 1933. The Pirates also finished the season with a perfect 14-0 record.

Olathe opened the scoring in the game after Dylan Markley returned the opening kickoff to the Erie 27-yard line. The Tigers defense held, however, and Olathe's Salazar kicked a 36-yard field goal to give OHS a 3-0 lead.

Erie answered later by driving to the Olathe 1-yard line where the defense had a goal line stand on fourth down. But OHS quarterback Garhet Jurgens couldn't escape the end zone on the ensuing possession and Erie scored on a safety, making it 3-2.

The Tigers took the kickoff and drove down where Ortega capped the drive with a touchdown run. Erie went for two but couldn't convert and led 8-3 going into halftime.

In the second half, Olathe found the end zone on a Rhodes 57-yard touchdown run and led 9-8 after a failed two-point conversion.

Erie took the lead again on the ensuing possession and took the 15-8 lead after converting their extra point attempt.

Olathe rallied again and with the offensive line blowing open huge holes, Rhodes carried the Pirates into the end zone again to make it 15-15. But the Pirates extra point attempt was blocked and led to the game going to overtime.

For full story, details and a special section, pick up Sunday's Montrose Daily Press.

The Daily Press also successfully webcasted the game live and thanks should go to area sponsors: (GOLD) Wollert GMC and The Insurance Center. (BLUE) Betz Transformers, Black Canyon Ranch, Busy Corner Market, Cooper Accounting, Corey Farms & Feedlot, DMEA, Jeans Westerner, Jungle Gym LLC & Tanning, Kaylor Fence, Montrose Implement Motorsports, Montrose Memorial Hospital, Olathe Federal Credit Union, Olathe True Value Hardware & Variety, PePe's Mexican Food, Rocking W Cheese & Milk, Rocky Mountain Steel, Turner Toyota, Ultimate Design Construction, West Slope Ag Center, The White Kitchen, and the Montrose Daily Press.