I want to start by giving you a story developing in the Tri-Cities area. Chiawana QB Mac Graff was seriously injured in a hunting accident. For more about the story, follow This Link . If you would like to help the family with medical costs involved, even a simple $5 adds up, visit This Site that has been set up.
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Week two is in the book, the Memorial Football Classic looks to have been a success, a top 3A team beat a top 4A team, and the Bellevue Wolverines beat another out of state opponent.
There are 22 undefeated teams left in the 3A classification, including four from the KingCo Conference. For an updated look at the standings from around the state, head on over to WaPrepZone.com .
This week I saw seven teams from 3A, including Lakeside, Meadowdale, Mountlake Terrace, Bainbridge, Cleveland, Roosevelt and Ballard, totaling six games in my Quest For 60.
Game Recap
The Lakeside Lions played host to King’s Knights in a 4pm non-league matchup. There was a tailgate before the game, and by far the biggest crowd I have seen attend a game at Parsons Field.
This game was a real measuring stick for the Lakeside program, who just a few seasons ago lost 55-7 to King’s, on way to a 2-8 season. Casey Selfridge took over following the season and the Lions have been on the way up ever since.
King’s came out hot to start, marching down and taking a 7-0 lead just a few minutes into the game. The Lions looked confused early, and it got worse when they were forced to punt on their first offensive possession.
Lakeside’s defense made adjustments, picked up the physical play and began getting pressure on King’s QB Koa Wilkins.
The Lions would get the ball back, and a few plays later Mayan Chavez (’16) would catch what appeared to be a harmless screen pass. Chavez would run across the field to the sideline, before making a few moves and reversing direction to the other sideline, out-running Knight’s defenders to the endzone.
With 4:45 left in the first quarter, the game was tied at 7, but the Lions had all the momentum.
The second quarter of play was the Sam Schrader Show. Lakeside’s senior Quarterback/Safety returned an INT for a touchdown to widen the lead to 14-7, then, following a Wyatt Paul 25 yard FG, he found Erik Rottsolk in the back-corner of the endzone to widen the gap to 24-7. Lakeside was rolling.
King’s wasn’t giving up, though, and would start by making a QB change, going to Corey Kispert, moving Wilkins out to WR.
When Lakeside ‘s Cole Stephens went down with cramps, King’s would really take over. The Knights would make it a 10-point game, just before the start of a fourth quarter, and would score again just 1:21 in to make it 24-20.
Lakeside’s offense was going nowhere, but the defense was starting to gain steam. That is when Cole Stephens would hobble back onto the field, and take over the game.
The senior would courageously carry the ball a few times, limping back to the huddle following the play. When the Lakeside coaching staff tried to put in the backup, Stephens was having none of it and remained in the game.
His toughness would payoff as a few plays later he would get loose down the sideline on way to a 30 yard TD to ice the game.
Final: Lakeside Lions 30 – King’s Knights 20.
My Notes
– To start, I love the atmosphere at Lakeside games. There is no price for admission, there are almost no bleachers, and there isn’t a much better setting. The fans surround the field on the track, which may seem weird, but it is a lot of fun.
– Lakeside kicker Wyatt Paul is a hidden gem. He has a huge leg puts just about every kickoff out the back of the endzone. He even put one through after an offsides penalty moved the kickoff back five yards.
– There is a lot to like about the group of receivers at King’s. Ryan Fransen (’15, 6’0″ 160) and Jackson Hand (’15, 6’3″ 175) are great weapons on the outside, and they will have a true inside threat if they settle on Koa Wilkins in the slot.
– A player who really impresses me from Lakeside is senior LB Jack Betcher. He plays fast, smart and has toughness when needed. Betcher is in on or around just about every tackle.
– Lakeside’s CB duo or Bennett Dondoyano and Mayan Chavez is going to be fun to watch for the next few year. Both are legitimate lockdown type corners that are not afraid to stick their nose in the run defense.
– Following the game, I caught up with Lakeside RB/S Cole Stephens. That interview can be seen Right Here .
– A player Stephens touches on his interview is Zander Bailey (’17). Bailey did a tremendous job in a bit of a nickel back roll for the Lions, and is an athlete I am excited to see grow in the coming seasons.
– Next up: Lakeside travels to Marysville Getchell (1-1) to take on the Chargers. King’s opens Cascade Conference play with their first home game of the season, vs Cedarcrest (1-1).
Other Notes/Links
– The Meadowdale Mavericks look like a real good football team. ATH Malik Braxton and company really took it to Mountlake Terrace on Friday night, in a 34-14 win, that seemed much further apart than 20 points. The duo of QB JP Routen and TE/WR Charlie White could do some real damage this season, and open things up for Braxton to use his playmaking skills.
– While they didn’t do much offensively, two Mountlake Terrace lineman I thought played well were juniors Ilai Wilson (6’1″ 240) and Drew Klippert (6’2″ 260).
– The Ballard Beavers couldn’t hold on to a halftime lead, but there is a lot to like about the direction that program is headed. They are still a ways away from being a truly great football team, but head coach Joey Thomas has them headed upwards. Josh Liebeskind of the Seattle Times has a story about the four Ta’ase brothers, all four of whom are starters. Read that article Right Here .
– Bellevue won their 56th straight game over the weekend, and for the second straight week beat an out of state opponent. This time being the Alta Hawks of Sandy, Utah. Jim Riley has the story for the Seattle Times .
– The Lynnwood Royals are 2-0 for the first time in… Well… A while. New head coach Keauntea Bankhead has done a tremendous job in a short time. Many of you may recognize Bankhead’s name, as he was a Parade All-American at Ballard in the early 2000’s, helping lead the Beavers to a second place finish at state his senior year.
– Juanita is 2-0 after travelling to Vancouver (Wash.) and beating the Mountain View Thunder. They were led by a big offensive game by 2017 ATH Salvon Ahmed. Tim Martinez of the Columbian has the story Right Here .
– An early heads up, Friday October 24th, the Lincoln Abes will travel to take on the Wilson Rams in a game at Stadium HS. That game will have a lot of talent on hand, and could feature two undefeated teams. With Jayson Williams, Dehonta Hayes, Jusstis Warren, BJ Hawthorne, Ben Puapuaga, Dionte Simon and Devan Brady from Lincoln, and Julius Yates-Brown, AJ Ruffin, Billy Greer Keun Thompson from Wilson, you might not find more potential D1 recruits in one plce in the South Sound this season.
– I am a big fan of the High School Sports guys at the Everett Herald, David Krueger and Aaron Lommers. Not only do they provide excellent coverage, but they do a weekly podcast that is well worth the listen. If you have time, follow This Link and you will not be disappointed.
– I will be attending five games this week, with three 3A teams, including Bellevue, Mercer Island and Ballard.
3A Week Three Top Ten
1. Bellevue Wolverines (2-0)
2. O’Dea Fighting Irish (2-0)
3. Lincoln Abes (2-0)
4. Marysville Pilchuck Tomahawks (2-0)
5. Eastside Catholic Crusaders (1-1)
6. Juanita Rebels (2-0)
7. Lakes Lancers (2-0)
8. Shadle Park Highlanders (2-0)
9. Glacier Peak Grizzlies (2-0)
10. Peninsula Seahawks (1-1)
