GRANTS PASS — Marshfield quarterback Kyle Tedder scored on a 75-yard run with just over a minute to go in the game to give the Pirates a 20-14 win at Grants Pass.

Grants Pass had tied the game at 14 early in the fourth quarter, with a 3-yard run by John Tardieu. Marshfield coach Justin Ainsworth said the offense put the defense in a precarious position by turning the ball over, but the defense kept the Pirates in the game.

“The defense did an unbelievable job,” Ainsworth said.

With 1:20 minutes left in the game, Tedder took the snap, raced to the sideline on his right, stiff-armed one defender to the turf, then easily outsprinted everyone to the end zone.

“I was thinking, ‘Just get there,’” Tedder said.

Marshfield senior Bo Cutting then went out and made the biggest play of the game.

With his team clinging to that 6-point lead and Grants Pass driving, Cutting made a one-handed interception he pulled off the shoulder pads of a teammate that ended the Cavemen’s hopes at the Marshfield 30 with 42 seconds remaining in the game.

“It hit my hand, and was sitting on my buddy’s shoulder, so I thought I should grab it,” Cutting said. “That was the biggest play of my career, the biggest win ... the biggest game.”

During summer conditioning efforts, Cutting said the team set a goal: defeat Grants Pass, something Marshfield hadn’t done since a second-round playoff game in 2001.

Mission accomplished for a group of seniors who entered the game with an 0-3 record against the Cavemen.

Tedder led the winning effort with eight rushes for 162 yards, and passed 11-for-16 for 114 yards and one interception.

Chris Krajcir opened the scoring in the second quarter with a 23-yard reception from Tedder, then Tedder connected with Callen Cooper from 45 yards out in the third.

“The kids really stepped up on both sides of the ball,” Ainsworth said.

Grants Pass finished with 225 passing yards and 328 total yards. It also totaled 18 first downs, to Marshfield’s 7.

Dual-threat Grants Pass quarterback Jordy Romick and the rest of the Cavemen struggled to find ample running room throughout the game. Other than an 18-yard run late in the fourth quarter, Romick’s longest rush of the night spanned 6 yards. He finished with 36 yards on 12 carries.

“We’ve got a lot of respect for Grants Pass,” Ainsworth said. “We’re fortunate to get a big win.”

In the middle of a three-game road stint, the Pirates are now 2-0 in away games.

“Our kids showed a lot of courage and guts to hang in there and continue to compete,” Ainsworth said. “It’s a huge win.”

Ainsworth said he’s happy with how his team’s performing, and he’s glad to be undefeated on the road.

“Our kids just keep getting better,” Ainsworth said. “And that’s the goal.”

Marshfield, which also won at Ashland last week and  improved to 3-1, is on the road again next week in Portland to face Jefferson in its final game before starting Midwestern League play.