Washington 4A Review: Week Two

 

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 has come and gone, with a few upsets, a game that saw over 1,100 yards of total offense. There are 18 undefeated teams left in 4A, including three 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 four teams from the 4A classification, Kentlake, Decatur, Todd Beamer and Evergreen (Vancouver), and six total games on my Quest For 60.

 

Game Recap

For the second week in a row, the Saturday night game at Federal Way Memorial Stadium was a GSHL/SPSL matchup as the Evergreen Plainsmen traveled north to take on the Todd Beamer Titans.

The Plainsmen came into the game ranked 5th in the state, having easily won a week one matchup against Eisenhower. The Titans were looking for their first win of the year, having dropped a non-league game to Rogers.

Evergreen’s high powered offense put up 56 points and over 400 yards of offense, all without Utah commit Justice Murphy.

This week was much different, as the Planismen struggled to find any offensive rhythm, and finished the day with 68 total yards, including just 1 yard passing. They finished the night 2-16 passing, even with Murphy in the lineup.

Give credit where credit is due. The Titans came out with a game plan to not allow Evergreen to throw the deep ball, and they did just that, including an interception on the first play of the game.

Offensive Todd Beamer went with a ground and pound attack of Andrew Tofaeono and Dashay Ware. The Titans didn’t throw the ball much, but when needed, senior QB Taylor Davis was on point.

In the trenches is really where the game was won. Todd Beamer’s offensive and defensive line play was some of the best I saw all weekend. On offense they ran the ball at will, and defensively it seemed like Evergreen QB Jerrin Williams has less and less space each time he dropped back to throw.

The Titans held a 16-0 halftime advantage, and received the ball to start the second half. Evergreen came out tough, and got a stop, but when Todd Beamer punter Christian Stafford received the snap, he looked right, and ran right for a first down.

As weird as it may sound, that fake punt felt like it was the end of the game, as things went from bad to worse, as Todd Beamer ran away with a 33-0 victory.

 

My Notes

– I am a big fan of Federal Way Memorial Stadium, which is one of the reasons I attend so many games there. The staff is friendly and they have by far the best hot dog around. $2.50 for a Costco dog? Sign me up!

– The Titans were without RB Brody Martinez, who appears to be done for some time, if not the entire season. He is a fantastic football player, and should be on college radars.

– Beamer’s Dashay Ware may have played the best game of his HS career. The senior RB/DB played a great all-around game, helping out in all three phases of the game. He finished the night with 48 hard rushing yards, 4 tackles, 1 for a loss, but his most important stat was 118 punt return yards. Three times he was only one tackler away from going to the house, all three times setting the Titans up with great field position.

– Following the game, I spoke to Ware about his performance, and his thoughts on the game. That interview can be seen Right Here .

– There is a lot to like about Beamer’s Jordan Jennings (’15, 6’2″ 230). He plays physical, and has a nose for the ball. If he isn’t in on the tackle, he is near by.

– Andrew Tofaeono (6’0″ 200) finished the night with three TD runs. He is a 2016 class back that runs the ball very hard. He has good speed, but really makes his money as a power back.

– This Friday Todd Beamer (1-1) heads to French Field to take on the Kent-Meridian Royals (2-0). Evergreen returns home to host the surprising Heritage Timberwolves (2-0).

 

Other Notes/Links

– The Thursday night game between Tahoma and Rogers at Sparks Stadium was defense optional. The two teams finished with over 1,100 yards of total offense, including 579 passing yards from Tahoma QB Amandre Williams. Todd Millies from the Tacoma News Tribune has the story Right Here . Monday I ran out to Tahoma to speak with Williams, that interview can be seen Right Here .

– Decatur ATH Isaiah Diggs is a lot of fun to watch! He does a little bit of everything for the Gators, and rarely leaves the field. He battle cramps Friday night in a loss to Kentlake, but was still the top talent on the field. I caught up with Diggs following the game, which you can see Right Here .

– 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.

– The Camas Papermakers have made it very clear the graduation losses will not hinder their chances this season. They took it to a very good, but injury plagued, Federal Way team. Paul Danzer from the Columbian has the game report Right Here .

– The Federal Way Eagles maybe the best 0-2 team in the state. They remind me of the Bothell team from two years ago. Bothell started with Skyline and Bellevue, both who would go on to win a state championship. Bothell ended up getting hot, like expected, and made their way to the Kingco Championship. I expect much of the same this season for Federal Way.

– One of the state’s top games last weekend was a non-league contest between the Chiawana Riverhawks and the Wenatchee Panthers. Both teams are very capable of getting into the postseason and doing some damage. The Tri-City Herald has a small report Right Here .

– I will be attending five games this week, involving five teams from the 4A classification. West Valley (Yakima), Federal Way, Tahoma, Rogers and Camas.

 

4A Week Three Top Ten

1. Bothell Cougars (2-0)
2. Union Titans (2-0)
3. Skyline Spartans (2-0)
4. Mount Si Wildcats (2-0)
5. Gig Harbor Tides (2-0)
6. Kentwood Conquerors (2-0)
7. Camas Papermakers (2-0)
8. Lake Stevens Vikings (1-1)
9. Gonzaga Prep Bullpups (2-0)
10. (T) Evergreen Plainsmen (1-1)
10. (T) Federal Way Eagles (0-2)