Edmonds-Woodway beats Jackson in thriller

EDMONDS — Having been through several hard-fought games with Jackson over the years, Edmonds-Woodway football coach John Gradwohl knew what to expect when the two teams faced off again on Friday night.

And he made sure his players knew it, too.

“I told my kids, this game goes to the end,” Gradwohl said. “I don’t care what the score is and at what point in time, it’s going to go to the last minute of the game because it always does.

“I said, ‘If you get up, don’t get happy. And if you get down, don’t get sad. It’s going to go to the end.’ And it did again.”

Gradwohl’s words were prophetic as Edmonds-Woodway, trailing 28-21 midway through the fourth quarter, scored two late touchdowns to overtake and eventually defeat the Timberwolves 35-28 in a back-and-forth Western Conference 4A thriller at Edmonds District Stadium.

It was the conference opener for both teams. Edmonds-Woodway improved to 4-0 overall, while Jackson dropped to 2-2.

The Warriors got the winning touchdown with 28 seconds to play on a 7-yard burst through the left side of the line by running back Mac McLachlan. And that TD followed perhaps the game’s biggest play, a blocked punt by Edmonds-Woodway’s Antonio Sherrill with a little over two minutes remaining.

Rushing from the right side, Sherrill came through to block the kick at the Edmonds-Woodway 47-yard line and the ball bounced back across midfield. It was finally downed at the Jackson 41.

Keeping the ball on the ground, the Warriors needed five plays to reach the T-wolves 7, setting up McLachlan’s scoring run.

“When we blocked that (punt),” McLachlan said, “I knew we were going to score.” And on his final carry, “I saw (the hole) open up and I just went for it.”

McLachlan also scored the tying touchdown with 5:08 to play in the game on a 5-yard carry. On both fourth-quarter TDs, he lined up in the backfield next to quarterback Davis Giles and took a direct snap from center.

McLachlan and teammate Junior Opoku-Mensah were a powerful one-two rushing tandem for the Warriors. McLachlan, a 6-foot, 195-pound senior, had 18 carries for 170 yards and three touchdowns, while the 5-9, 175-pound Opoku-Mensah carried 33 times for 209 yards.

Opoku-Mensah also had three receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Running the football “is our strength,” Gradwohl said. “We spent a lot of time getting better at it this week and it really paid off.”

The Warriors ended up with 506 yards of total offense, which included 122 passing yards by Giles.

“(Jackson is) a heck of a football team,” Gradwohl said. “And they’ve got some great players over there. I feel lucky to get away with a win.”

“We really wanted this game,” McLachlan said. “(The T-wolves) are a tough team and they played hard, (but) we just wanted it more.”

The T-wolves finished with 231 yards of offense, and got two touchdowns apiece from running back Nick White and wide receiver Travante Robinson. It was *White who had the game’s longest play, a 76-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter, following a lateral from teammate Andrew Cho.

Jackson coach Joel Vincent was understandably disappointed by the outcome. “Tight ballgames are exciting until you don’t win,” he said, “and then they’re tough.

“The kids played really hard,” he added. “That was two pretty good football teams right there. But one, us, made too many mistakes.”

At Edmonds Stadium

Jackson 0 14 6 8 — 28

Edmonds-Woodway 0 14 7 14 — 35

Edmonds-Woodway—Opoku-Mensah 14 pass from Giles (Fatty kick)

Jackson—White 76 kickoff return (Zeng kick)

Jackson—White 1 run (Zeng kick)

Edmonds-Woodway—McLachlan 7 run (Fatty kick)

Jackson—Robinson 29 pass from Love (kick failed)

Edmonds-Woodway—Myricks 14 pass from Giles (Fatty kick)

Jackson—Robinson 4 run (Robinson run)

Edmonds-Woodway—McLachlan 5 run (Fatty kick)

Edmonds-Woodway—McLachlan 7 run (Fatty kick)

*Correction, Sept. 30, 2013: The original article included the incorrect name.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.