Olympia earns first playoff berth since 2012 -- Observer Preps

After down years in 2013 and 2014, the program has returned to the state playoffs with a late win over Oak Ridge last week.

By Steven Ryzewski
| 3:19 p.m. November 2, 2016

Sports
High Schools

Staring down the possibility of losing their playoff hopes, the Olympia Titans responded in dramatic fashion last week to secure their first playoff berth since 2012.

The Titans (6-3, 3-1 district) were down to host Oak Ridge 13-12 with just over two minutes to play Oct. 27 in a win-and-you’re-in district finale. A late touchdown rush by Ronald Teague set up a two-point conversion by James Green to give Olympia a touchdown advantage.

The road back...

Here is an abbreviated look at the path for the Olympia Titans from former coach Bob Head’s final season in 2012, when the program last made the playoffs, to now.

2012

Titans finished 5-5, overall, but go 4-0 in district in Bob Head’s final season at the school. First-round playoff loss to Timber Creek.

2013

In the first season under then-coach Tom Paolucci, Olympia loses its first three games of the season and ultimately finishes 3-7.

2014

In Paolucci’s second and final season, the Titans win just one game and the school decides to go a different direction after the season.

2015

In coach Kyle Hayes’ first season, Olympia rebounds and wins six games in the regular season, but loses two district games that keep it from the playoffs. A win in a bowl game brings the final tally to 7-4.

2016

The Titans flip one of their district losses from 2015 (Oak Ridge) and earn a spot in the state playoffs as district runner-up.

Then, just for good measure, Andrey Hawkins intercepted an Oak Ridge pass as the Pioneers tried to tie the game and ran it back for a pick-six that sealed the win and vaulted the Titans back into the state playoffs.

“They (the kids) were super excited — especially with the way we won it,” second-year head coach Kyle Hayes said. “I think our kids kind of underestimated Oak Ridge — and they have a great team. So I used that to let them know ‘you can’t underestimate anybody.’”

Joe Milton also threw two touchdown passes — both to Jordan Underwood — on the night.

It may not have been in the prettiest fashion, but Hayes said that for a program that struggled to earn wins since former coach Bob Head left after the 2012 season, simply being back in the playoffs is a big deal.

“It’s good just for our school, our students and the community,” Hayes said. “The program has been down for the last couple years. … It’s been a minute without any success, and so finally, we have a chance to turn it around.”

As district runner-up, Olympia will travel to Sarasota’s Riverview High Nov. 11 for the first round of the FHSAA Class 8A State Playoffs. And although the road to state as a district runner-up includes road games and likely will have to go through rival Dr. Phillips, Hayes said his team is focused on taking it one game at a time and taking nothing for granted.

“Once you get the foot in the door, you’ve got a chance to win,” Hayes said. “We wanted to win the district, of course, but we’re still at the dance.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].