SPOKANE, Wash. – The University Titans are headed to the 3A state playoffs after surviving one of the wildest finishes of the Greater Spokane League season.
University outlasted Cheney 26-18 in a four-round Kansas tiebreaker Saturday at Shadle Park, claiming the league’s second automatic berth to the Round of 32.
Junior running back Toby Thornburg powered the Titans, scoring three touchdowns and adding a two-point conversion as University found a way to finish the job in a game filled with blocked extra points, missed opportunities and momentum swings.
For Thornburg, it was an experience he won’t soon forget.
“I’ve never even heard of anything like this before,” Thornburg said. “Just being a part of something like that, it’s awesome. I’m gonna remember this for the rest of my life.”
The win was especially meaningful for the Titans, who have continued to build throughout the season. After winning just one game two years ago and four last season, University has taken another step forward.
Thornburg credited the team’s resilience and the work put in throughout the year for the turnaround.
“This team has been from like two years ago, we had one win season, last year we had four wins, and now we got seven,” Thornburg said. “Just the resilience of this team and everyone’s working hard, pushing each other.”
The Titans and Blackhawks traded touchdowns throughout the first three rounds of the tiebreaker, but neither team could create separation.
Cheney struck first when Kaden Rasmussen took a handoff on fourth-and-goal before rolling right and finding Blake Kernan in the back corner of the end zone. The extra point was blocked, giving the Blackhawks a 6-0 lead.
University answered with Thornburg punching in a touchdown, but the Titans’ extra point hit the upright.
Thornburg continued to be the difference-maker in the second round. After moving the ball down to the 1-yard line, he took a shovel pass and powered through a defender for another touchdown. The two-point attempt failed, leaving University with a 12-6 advantage.
Cheney responded with a touchdown pass from Connor Collins to Rasmussen to tie things up at 12.
The Blackhawks grabbed their first lead in the third round when Collins connected with Ashton Huse for a touchdown. Cheney attempted another two-point conversion, but Ty McKinzie was stopped short of the goal line after an interference penalty gave the Blackhawks another opportunity.
Trailing 18-12, University needed an answer.
Thornburg delivered again, taking a swing pass down to the 3-yard line before Grant Peterson finished the drive with a touchdown. Another blocked extra point sent the game into a fourth round.
That’s when the Titans finally created separation.
Thornburg took the ball up the middle to the 6-yard line before eventually powering into the end zone from three yards out. University elected to go for two, and Thornburg once again carried the load, pushing his way across the goal line to give the Titans an eight-point advantage.
“I know when I’m getting the ball on the one-yard line, I’m not gonna be denied by anybody,” Thornburg said. “So I’m just gonna put my head down and keep going.”
Cheney’s final opportunity ended on the next possession. A pass from Collins was tipped at the line of scrimmage before junior defensive lineman Paxton Marticio came up with the interception to seal the victory.
The win also means University avoids another game Tuesday, something Thornburg knows will be important heading into the postseason.
“Having to play on Tuesday would have sucked,” Thornburg said. “The rest is going to be important and we’ll have more time to prepare.”
Cheney still has a path to the state playoffs. The Blackhawks finished third in the GSL standings and will travel to face Kennewick on Tuesday for District 6’s fifth and final berth in the Round of 32.
Earlier Saturday, Cheney earned its spot in the second tiebreaker game with a 6-3 victory over Mt. Spokane.
The Wildcats took an early lead on a 26-yard field goal from Grant Strocsher, but Cheney answered when Collins connected with McKinzie on a swing pass for a touchdown.
Mt. Spokane’s season came to an end with the loss, while Cheney moved on to face University.
For the Titans, Saturday’s victory represents another milestone for a program that has continued to grow.
Thornburg said the commitment to improving, even when things weren’t going well, has helped turn the team into a playoff contender.
“It’s just like the offseason, the grind it over and over, like every single day, just showing up even when I’m tired, waking up early,” Thornburg said. “Moments like this, working for moments like this, is what keeps me going.”
Now, the Titans get their reward: another week of football and a chance to make a run in the 3A state playoffs.
COPYRIGHT 2026 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
