Archbishop Murphy dominates Orcas Island

Published 11:32 am Friday, February 29, 2008

MILL CREEK — The train that is the Archbishop Thomas Murphy Wildcats just keeps rolling on.

Using superior line play on both sides of the ball, Archbishop Murphy rolled to a 54-7 home victory over former Northwest League foe Orcas Island Sept. 18.

“They’re a very good team and we knew that coming in,” said Vikings coach Dennis Dahl. “We knew we’d have to play a great game just to stay in the game.”

Dahl’s Vikings stayed close to the Wildcats early, only trailing 6-0 after the first quarter. That’s when Archbishop Murphy put its Wing-T offense in gear, scoring 28 points in the second quarter. Two of those scores were set up by long interception returns.

“We started off a bit slow but after a few key plays we came together and started to do what we’re used to doing, playing hard,” said junior running back Shiloh Keo, who led the Wildcats with 117 yards rushing on eight carries.

“We came out and we did what we needed to do,” Keo said.

Once again, the Wildcats dominated both offensively and defensively. Archbishop Murphy rolled up 477 yards while holding Class B-11 Orcas Island to 175 yards. The Vikings were only able to generate 32 yards rushing, while Archbishop Murphy racked up 394 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Senior running back Craig Duncan had 10 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

“I thought this was a game that we would be able to score some points,” said Archbishop Murphy coach Terry Ennis. Ennis said his team came into the game expecting a tough test from the Vikings’ wide-open passing game.

But the Wildcats were able to control Orcas Island’s pro-style offense with a stifling defense, holding Vikings quarterback McLane Stone to 5-for-16 for 124 yards with one touchdown and those two second-quarter interceptions.

“He’s a good quarterback who didn’t play up to our expectations of him,” Ennis said.

Stone was able to show what his Northwest League competition has to look forward to, hitting senior running back Hunter Easterling for a 94-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

“We wish we hard a few more of those,” Kahn said. “That was a nice play.”

While Orcas Island’s passing game was sputtering except for that one big play, Archbishop Murphy started working the pass into its run-oriented offense. Senior quarterback Kyle Wilkins went 3-for-4 for 83 yards. Wilkins’ 45-yard completion to junior receiver Paul Henderson set up Archbishop Murphy’s first score. Wilkins also ran 8 times for 61 yards and one touchdown.

“We did a little more passing than before and it was successful,” Ennis said. “It’s something we’re looking to do more of.”

Archbishop Murphy opens play in the new Cascade Conference at 7 p.m. tonight (Friday, Sept. 24) with a home game against Cedarcrest.