2A STATE: Ashby passes unbeaten White Pine into final

Josh Ashby threw two touchdown passes to Levi Valdez and ran for a score Friday, leading White Pine’s football team into the Class 2A state championship game with a 28-19 victory over Battle Mountain in Ely.

Ashby’s 1-yard run with 17 seconds remaining in the first half gave the Bobcats (11-0) a 14-13 lead. He hit Valdez for a 30-yard TD late in the third quarter to make it 21-13.

Battle Mountain (7-4) cut the gap to six with a 50-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Itza to Hank Filippini. Ashby and Valdez iced the win with three minutes to play, connecting for a 20-yard TD on fourth-and-goal.

Josh Groben had a 27-yard return of a blocked punt for a first-quarter touchdown for the Bobcats, who will face Pershing County or The Meadows in the title game Nov. 19.

Jake Johnson intercepted two passes for White Pine, and Travis Johnson — who missed most of last season with a broken femur — made his eighth interception of the year.