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Grizz upends Jesuit in OT Reserve QB lifts Ashland to finals berth By DON HUNT EUGENE -- Zach Hassell admitted, "I was terrified." In the game for the first time at quarterback, Hassell faded into the pocket and lofted a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jay Kuester to lift the Ashland Grizzlies to a stunning, 21-14 overtime victory over Jesuit in the semifinals of the Class 4A football playoffs at Autzen Stadium on Saturday. Hassell, who played the entire game as a linebacker on defense, was forced into action at quarterback when Jimmy Werbin suffered a shoulder injury late in the fourth period. "I had awesome protection and Jay (Kuester) ran a great route," Hassell said. "The only question was whether I could put the ball on the money, and luckily I did." The Ashland victory, its 13th without a loss, earned the Grizzlies a date in next Saturday's state championship game against Southern Oregon Conference rival Roseburg. The Indians moved on to the finals with a 37-20 win over Tualatin later Saturday. In the regular season, Ashland defeated Roseburg 35-21 on Oct. 9. Although Hassell, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior, serves as the Grizzlies' backup quarterback, he had thrown just four passes the entire season prior to Saturday. But with Werbin on the sidelines nursing what was believed to be a separated shoulder and the Grizzlies facing a fourth down-and-13 play from the Jesuit 28 in the overtime, Ashland coach Jim Nagel had no choice but to call on Hassell. Kuester ran a post-corner pattern, meaning that he initially cut to the middle of the field and then burst toward the left corner of the end zone. The pass was a bit wobbly, but the speedy Kuester hauled it in at the 5-yard line and darted to the goal line. "The DB (defensive back) bit on the post and I was open," Kuester said. "Once I caught the ball, I knew I was going to score." Jesuit still had its chance in the Kansas Plan overtime, which allows each team to take possession of the ball at the opponent's 25-yard line. But on the Crusaders' first play in the extra session, quarterback Erik Lewis was swarmed under by a host of Grizzlies, the ball popped out and Ashland defensive end Nick Bakke fell on it. Game. Set. Match. Bring on Roseburg. "That wasn't exactly an ideal situation," Ashland coach Jim Nagel said of the fourth-down play that turned Hassell into a hero. "But we've known for several weeks now that this team is very resilient. These kids have a knack for doing whatever it takes to win." The Grizzlies, who find themselves in the championship game for the fifth time since 1989, seemed to be in reasonably good shape with 10:50 remaining in the game when Werbin hooked up with Kuester on a 24-yard touchdown pass that gave them 14-6 lead. But Jesuit stormed back. Spurred on by 6-foot-3, 223-pound fullback Matt Floberg, the Metro League champion Crusaders needed just seven plays to drive 81 yards. Floberg, who finished the game with 91 yards on 18 carries, blasted 35 yards on the first play of the drive. The last play saw Lewis hit Brandon Miller over the middle for a 35-yard touchdown. Floberg then rumbled around left end on an option play for the two-point conversion, tying the game at 14 with 3:46 to play. Normally, that would be ample time for the Grizzlies to get into their two-minute offense with Werbin throwing the ball. But with Werbin hurt and Hassell not having taken a snap in several games, the Grizzlies went into a conservative mode, playing for the OT. "Hassell needed to take a few snaps on the sidelines and get warmed up to play quarterback," Nagel said. "That's why I didn't put him in on that last drive (of regulation). I didn't want him fumbling the snap and losing the game right there." With Kuester gaining 10 yards on a reverse and fullback Joel Smith bursting up the middle for 27 yards, the Grizzlies still managed to drive from their own 24 to the Jesuit 36 before running out of downs. Ashland jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when tight end Austin Mason caught a short pass along the sideline and, aided by a nice upfield block from Kuester, turned it into a 78-yard touchdown. "They were in a man-to-man defense and we thought we could get a rub, with two of our receivers crossing," Nagel said. "It was nice to get a big play early." Jesuit dominated much of the rest of the first half and enjoyed a 195-96 edge in total offense at the intermission. But all the Crusaders had to show for it was Floberg's 5-yard touchdown run. Matt Krueger's PAT kick sailed wide right, enabling the Grizzlies to retain a 7-6 lead at the break. Jesuit wound up with a big edge in first downs (16-8), total offense (345-241) and time of possession (32:18-15:42). But the only numbers that mattered to the Grizzlies were the ones on the scoreboard. Nagel said after the game that he doubted Werbin will be able to play next week. "We're going to hope for the best, but it doesn't look good," Nagel said. "Our team doctor (John Maurer) said from all indications it looked like it was separated." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford,