‘It was just stupid nuts.’ Weiser football wins state title in a wild double-OT finish
The game that had everything saw a final heart-stopping moment Friday. And it was the one that finally ended a dynasty.
Three-time defending state champ Sugar-Salem opted to go for two points and the win in double overtime of the 3A state championship, but Weiser senior Brett Spencer flew up from his safety position and dropped Carson Harris inches shy of the goal line at Idaho State’s Holt Arena.
Spencer’s game-, season- and championship-saving tackle allowed the Wolverines (12-1) to hang on for a 34-33 win and handed them their first state title since 1997.
“I couldn’t ask for a better game,” Spencer said. “This is a story people will tell for forever. I’m so proud of our team. I’m just so proud to call these guys my brothers.”
BRETT SPENCER’S LEGEND GROWS
Spencer, who holds an offer to play quarterback at Idaho, normally draws headlines for his play on offense. But the reigning first-team All-Idaho defensive back dominated both sides of the ball Friday.
He snared two interceptions in the first half, spotting the Wolverines strong field position to build an early lead. And he scrambled all over the field for 226 total yards, two TDs and a host of magical moments.
With the game on the line, Spencer found a way to make one more championship-defining play.
“He’s a tremendous football player,” Weiser coach Tom Harrison. “He’s probably the best football player I’ve ever coached.”
Spencer sent the game to a second overtime, rescuing the Wolverines when things looked their most dire. Facing 4th-and-goal from the 7-yard line, Spencer spun out of a sack, nearly tripped over the defender he’d just juked, then stepped up and ripped a laser to younger brother Brock Spencer to get the game tied.
“(That was) pure backyard football, to be honest with you,” Brett Spencer said. “I guess it’s that brother-to-brother connection. That’s not his route. He ran a route, saw me scrambling, worked back and I just hit him.
“He did the hard part of catching the ball in the heat of the moment.”
WEISER SURVIVES WILD FOURTH QUARTER
Brett Spencer received the opportunity to become the overtime hero only after a drama-filled fourth quarter.
Leading 20-14, Weiser had a chance to put the game away when linebacker Rylee Willet picked off Sugar-Salem (8-3) quarterback Daniel Neal with 4:38 left. But intended receiver Zac Dougherty chased Willet down from behind and punched the ball loose. Sugar-Salem’s Kaden Summers recovered the fumble, earning the Diggers a fresh set of downs.
Six plays later, Harris plowed in for a 2-yard TD run with 1:43 left on the clock. All Sugar-Salem had to do was kick the extra point for the lead.
Weiser’s Willy Shirts blocked the kick, sending the Wolverines into a frenzy. But the officials whistled the play dead for encroachment, giving Sugar-Salem’s Kyle Brunson another chance at the go-ahead kick.
It didn’t matter. Sugar-Salem overcompensated to keep Shirts out of the backfield, opening the door for Maddox Stevens to fly through untouched and block the kick again. Stevens said the ball struck him right in the chest below his pads, a game-saving block sure to leave a mark.
“It was an emotional roller coaster, that’s for sure,” Stevens said. “Everyone was crying — Sugar, us, everyone.”
ANOTHER STATE TITLE FOR TOM HARRISON
The storybook ending adds another state championship for Harrison, Idaho’s most decorated coach. He’s won 11 titles between Weiser (one), Pocatello (one), Snake River (eight) and Raft River (one) high schools.
The next closest coach is Jack McKelvey, who won eight titles with Mackay.
Harrison took over at Weiser four years ago, inheriting a proud program that had posted six straight seasons at or below .500. Four years later, Weiser stands atop the 3A classification for the third time overall — and the first time since any current Wolverine was born.
“We went from not making the playoffs, being bottom end of the SRV, to in four years winning a state title,” Brett Spencer said. “He totally flipped the program around.”
But Harrison admits he found himself in a new position Friday. Sugar-Salem stood as the perennial power, giving him a chance to play the role of the underdog.
All the twists and turns only added to the experience.
“Oh, God. It was just stupid nuts,” Harrison said with a laugh. “Stupid nuts.
“That’s just the way it’s been. Our kids showed a lot of heart and vigor down at the end. We made a play at the (end), and games like this come down to a few plays.”
This story was originally published November 19, 2021 at 11:19 PM with the headline "‘It was just stupid nuts.’ Weiser football wins state title in a wild double-OT finish."
