Week six is in the books, the Auburn Mountainview Lions jumped into our top ten rankings, Bellevue won again and their are five teams left unbeaten. For an updated look at the standings from around the state, head on over to WaPrepZone.com .
This week I attended four games, featuring just two 3A teams, the Eastside Catholic Crusaders and the Bishop Blanchet Braves.
Game Recap
Mickey Naish Field at Bishop Blanchet High School does not have lights, so this week’s game against Eastside Catholic was a 2:00pm Saturday afternoon kickoff, which is perfect when you’re trying to get to 60 games in one year.
Both teams started slow, and the first quarter would end with a 7-0 Eastside Catholic lead, following an 18 yard Harley Kirsch (’16) strike to Matt Laris (’16).
Blanchet really struggled in the first half, and would be forced to punt multiple times. Eastside Catholic played on a short field most of the day following those punts, and the Crusaders would capitalize.
RB Dominique Fetui would rumble in from four yards out, just under a minute into the second period, and after a missed PAT the Crusaders would lead 13-0.
Things continued downhill for Blanchet, as while they were able to move the ball, they could not finish the drive and would be forced to punt.
The Crusaders didn’t waste much time, as Kirsch would once again hook up with Laris, this time from 53 yards out. Laris stutter stepped about 10 yards out, the corner bit, and Laris ran right by him, running the score to 21-0.
Laris would end up injured on the play, and was not a factor the rest of the game. I did see Laris on the sideline moving around, but he did appeared to be hobbled.
Bad would become worse for Blanchet, when Kirsch would find TE Hunter Bryant (’17) for his third TD pass of the first half. The two would come together again for the 2-point conversion, bringing the score to 28-0, with just 4.8 seconds left in the first half.
Eastside Catholic would run the score to 35-0 just over a minute into the third quarter, when Kirsch hit Matt Kvech (’15) for 36 yards and the touchdown.
The Braves would begin one of their better marches down field following the score, but would end up turning the ball over to the Crusaders. They would regain possession just a few plays later when DB Oshea Trujillo (’16) made a spectacular one handed INT.
Blanchet would finally get on the board with 5:34 left in the third, when the snap would fly over the head of the QB, and Trujillo would pick it up, and loft it to Elijah Davis in the front corner of the endzone. A missed PAT would make it 35-6.
Just a few minutes later, the Crusaders would once again get into the endzone, Kirsch hitting Jake Jackson from 15 yards out to make it 42-6 as we headed into the fourth.
Addison Hull would start the running clock as he plowed in to make it 49-6 with a little over eight minutes left to play.
The Braves scored on the final play of the game, but Eastside Catholic would come away with a 49-12 win.
My Game Notes/Links
Eastside Catholic was without DB Terin Adams (’15) again, while Blanchet was without Clinton Allen Jr (’16 WR/DB), and would lose Raemo Trevino (’16 OL/DL) during the second quarter.
This was the third straight week I have seen Blanchet, and I once again loved the play of LB Jack Sendelbach (’15, 6’2″ 210). He really flies to the ball, and loves to hit.
Following the game I caught up with Eastside Catholic RB Addison Hull, that video interview can be seen Right Here .
The Crusaders OL really stepped up and played well. Led by Alex Neale (’15, Montana commit) and Brody McKnight (’17) both really anchor the line from their guard positions, and center Connor Heger does a tremendous job for a athlete still learning the position.
I am a big fan of Eastside Catholic WR Matt Laris. He is such a big target and is mismatch for virtually every DB that has tried to cover him. When you team him with TE Hunter Bryant, the Crusaders have a young set of receivers that will be around for a few years.
Other 3A Notes/Links
The Everett Herald’s week seven podcast is available for free Right Here . If you are a fan of HS Football, which I assume you are, you will like it.
Moving into the 3A top ten, and rightfully so, are the Auburn Mountainview Lions. They remained unbeaten this week, but blanking one of the teams expected to be at the top of the league. The TNT has the story Right Here .
You would be hard pressed to find an unluckier team right now than the Juanita Rebels. Two weeks ago in a win over Mercer Island, they lost starting QB Tavin Montgomery for what could be the rest of the season. Backup Dexter Mell, who sees plenty of time, went down against Bellevue this week, and also is done for the season.
The Roosevelt Roughriders clinched a division title this week with a win over Garfield. The Seattle Times has the story Right Here .
You may have read two week ago that the Lincoln Abes beat Mount Tahom 91-0. Oddly, the Mount Tahoma coaches feel no ill will. For the story, click Right Here .
This week’s 3A Top Ten
1. Bellevue Wolverines (6-0)
2. O’Dea Fighting Irish (6-0)
3. Lincoln Abes (6-0)
4. Eastside Catholic Crusaders (5-1)
5. Marysville Pilchuck Tomahawks (5-1)
6. Peninsula Seahawks (5-1)
7. Auburn Mountainview (6-0)
8. Meadowdale Mavericks (5-1)
9. Juanita Rebels (5-1)
10. Columbia River Chieftains (5-1)
