Kamiak shows Mariner who’s boss now

Published 9:00 pm Friday, September 7, 2001

Line keys big night for the Knights’ offense

By Aaron Coe

Herald Writer

EVERETT — It took seven years, but Kamiak established itself as the supreme football power in the Mukilteo School District with a resounding 35-0 victory over Mariner on Friday night at Goddard Stadium.

Kamiak, which won its fourth straight over the Marauders after losing the first three meetings between the district rivals, used a dominating rushing attack and a stout defense to level what many expect will be a pretty good Mariner team.

Running back Justin Washington carried 19 times for 123 of Kamiak’s 244 rushing yards as the Knights used a 28-point second quarter to humble the Marauders.

"They were yelling at me before the game because I said too much in the papers," Washington said. "I’m glad we came out here and backed up our mouth."

Kamiak quarterback John Mack completed six of 10 passes for 101 yards despite missing more than a quarter with a leg cramp.

"I was very pleased with our quarterback play," said Kamiak coach Dan Mack, who is John Mack’s father. "He made some nice audibles and threw the ball well."

The Kamiak defense held Mariner to just 96 yards on the ground, and much of that came on a long run by Mike Stockl in the game’s final minute. The Knights gained 355 total yards compared to just 164 for the Marauders.

The Knights, who played in a state semifinal game last season, took a while to regain their form, but once they got going the game quickly became one-sided.

A quick and aggressive Mariner defense was constantly pushed back by Kamiak’s offensive line, which opened gaping holes for its stable of running backs.

"We have a nice group of running backs," Dan Mack said. "But ‘The Dozers’ did a wonderful job."

After a scoreless first quarter, the Knights used their balanced attack to dominate the second.

Washington capped an 11-play, 83-yard drive with a 10-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter. It was Washington’s seventh carry of a drive in which he compiled 50 yards.

As impressive as that was, fellow running back David Eneberg one-upped Washington in one play after the Kamiak defense forced a Mariner three-and-out drive.

Eneberg took a handoff from Mack and sped 53 yards down his right sideline for a 14-0 Kamiak lead with 9:08 remaining in the half.

"A lot of people don’t know about Eneberg," Washington said. "They key on me and he comes out with that run."

After its defense forced Mariner to turn the ball over on downs, Kamiak began another strong drive down the field. Mack appeared to be in a world of trouble when he was being chased by two Mariner defenders, but he beat them to the corner and unloaded a strike to running back Derrick Bradley. Bradley, who is one of the state’s fastest players, sped past the Marauders on his way to a 52-yard TD and a 21-0 lead with 1:34 left in the half.

The Knights’ first-half work was not yet done.

After the kickoff, Mariner fumbled on the only play of the drive, and Washington fell on the loose ball at the Mariner 18 with 1:13 left.

Bradley then struck again, this time speeding to his left and diving into the end zone for his second TD in 21 seconds to give Kamiak a 28-point quarter.

In the first half, Kamiak gained 178 yards rushing on 16 carries while holding Mariner to 19 yards on 18 carries. Mack missed on his first three attempts (two of them drops), but completed his last four passes of the half for 85 yards in the half.