Archbishop Thomas Murphy blanks LaConner

Published 9:59 am Friday, February 22, 2008

EVERETT — The Archbishop Thomas Murphy football team put together a complete effort in its league opener.

The Wildcats’ defense pitched a shutout, while the offense generated more than enough offense on the ground to defeat LaConner 34-0 in a Northwest A League game Oct. 12 at Archbishop Murphy High School.

Quarterback Axel Wolff scored on touchdown runs of 2 and 11 yards, while running back Jevon Butler rushed for 148 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown.

Running back Doug VanderWel and quarterback Kyle Wilkins also had touchdown runs.

“What helps us is if we can sustain drives and put the ball in the end zone and complete the drive,” said Archbishop Murphy coach Terry Ennis. “We did that regularly.”

By establishing the inside running game with Butler, the Wildcats then were able to also run outside, Ennis noted.

But what impressed Ennis the most was the improved performance of the Wildcats’ defense. During the preseason, Archbishop Murphy had been giving up significant yards.

The Wildcats elevated their effort against the Braves.

“We were very proud of the way we contained them and didn’t give up that big play,” Ennis said. “That was what kind of plagued us in the last few games. So we thought our consistency on defense was … there today. We just didn’t give up the big play and that’s what we really worked hard not to do.”

Archbishop Murphy limited LaConner to 79 yards of total offense.

Wolff completed passes of 41 and 23 yards in the Wildcats’ first two scoring drives but Archbishop Murphy also missed what Ennis described as some golden opportunities.

The Wildcats aren’t going to be a passing team but that doesn’t mean teams will be able to ignore the possibility that they will go to the air on occasion.

“If teams are going to sit up there and not expect us to pass … we want to execute and make the big play,” Ennis said.

Archbishop Murphy made two big plays but could have had more if its execution was better.

“I think our kids will probably … realize that they’re going to be open and we need to throw the ball to the open man,” Ennis said. “So we need to expand our passing attack.

“Our passes are going to be more play action. So if we fool them we’d better get it done the first time.”

The Wildcats (1-0 in the league, 4-1 overall) travel to Orcas Island for a 1 p.m. game tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 19).

At Archbishop Murphy H.S.

La Conner 0 0 0 0 — 0

Archbishop Murphy6 8 6 14 — 34

AM-Wolff 2 run (run failed)

AM-Wolff 11 run (pass good)

AM-Butler 40 run (kick failed)

AM-VanderWel 15 run (Waiss run)

AM-Wilkins 39 run (no kick)

NOTES

QB INJURED: The game was stopped for approximately 30 minutes early in the fourth quarter when LaConner junior quarterback Tyler Dubuque collapsed on the sidelines.

Dubuque was shaken up after being sacked by a trio of Archbishop Murphy defenders on a pass play. An aid car was summoned and Dubuque was taken to the hospital. He was released from the hospital later that day and returned home with his parents.

A combination of factors contributed to Dubuque’s collapse and subsequent convulsions on the sidelines, including the effects of a concussion and possible dehydration, according to LaConner athletic director/assistant coach Mike Compton.

Compton said that Dubuque was expected back at school this week and that the doctors indicated that he probably would be able to resume playing football at some point.

“It wasn’t as dramatic as it looked,” said Compton, who talked with Dubuque on the telephone on Sunday. “He gave us a bit of a scare.”

Dubuque is a two-year starter at quarterback for LaConner.