Everett near perfect vs. Oak Harbor

Published 11:53 pm Friday, September 19, 2008

EVERETT — Perfection.

That’s the best way to describe the way the Everett Seagulls played football Friday night.

Everett was all over the field, both on offense and defense, shutting out Oak Harbor 22-0 in a non-league game at Everett Memorial Stadium.

On offense the Seagulls had a 100-yard rusher, receiver and passer and on defense they had two sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries.

“Our defense stepped it up huge. Everybody played perfect,” Everett wide receiver/safety Jake Frauenholtz said.

Frauenholtz played a huge part on both sides of the ball.

The senior had two touchdowns and 123 yards receiving and on defense he recovered a fumble and picked off a pass for an interception.

“It was a big night. We’re feeling pretty good right now,” Frauenholtz added.

When the season began the Seagulls looked at who they’d be facing in their first four games and knew they had to prove themselves.

Last Friday they faced a 4A state semifinalist Edmonds-Woodway, losing 21-7.

“I felt the kids really improved a lot, just from that game,” Everett head coach Will Soren said.

Last night it was 4A state quarterfinalist Oak Harbor.

“When you first see (the schedule) your jaw drops,” Soren said.

“But we know it will make us stronger because of it,” he added.

Everett looked nothing like a team playing in the smaller, and newly created, Wesco 3A team.

The Seagulls (2-1 overall) scored on their first possession when David Andre took a handoff and sprinted 46 yards untouched for a touchdown. Andre finished with 14 carries for 150 yards.

In the second quarter, Seagull quarterback Chase Herrick connected with Frauenholtz for a 14-0 lead, finding the receiver from 7 yards out.

Frauenholtz out jumped his defender before planting both toes in the end zone for the score.

The duo connected a second time, this time in the third quarter when Frauenholtz faked a curl then spun towards the end zone where Herrick’s past met him for a 59 yard touchdown.

Herrick finished 6-for-9 for 123 yards and two TDs.

“We put it all together. We wanted to prove ourselves,” Frauenholtz said.

“Our goal each week is to play 50/50 (receiving and running) and make the other team defend the entire field,” Soren said.

Oak Harbor got few scoring attempts thanks to the Seagulls converting eight of 10 third-down attempts and the Seagulls defense.

The Wildcats (1-2) fumbled twice on the 5-yard line and couldn’t convert on a fourth-and-goal late in the third quarter.

“They were flying around out there. There were 11 bodies to the ball at all times,” Soren said.

Oak Harbor was led by Brad Farnum’s 79 yards rushing.

Defensively the Wildcats were led by Chris Nuemiller, who recovered a fumble, sacked Herrick twice and prevented a third Frauenholtz score by knocking the receiver out of bounds on a 33-yard play.

Both teams had a case of the fumbleitis late in the second quarter.

The teams combined for three fumbles on three consecutive possessions.

Oak Harbor’s Farnum fumbled on the 5-yard line trying to turn a third-and-2 into a first down.

Everett gained possession but three plays later Michael Murray fumbled and Oak Harbor recovered.

The Wildcats began to move the chains in the right direction before Stephen Lewis fumbled on the 5-yard line and Everett picked up the loose ball.

Everett faces Cascade next week another tough battle against a 4A opponent.

Oak Harbor looks to rebound against Stanwood at home.

At Everett Memorial Stadium

Oak Harbor0000—0

Everett7780—22

Everett—Andre 46 yard run (Barhanovich kick)

Everett—Frauenholtz 7 yard pass from Herrick (Barhanovich kick)

Everett—Frauenholtz 59 yard pass from Herrick (Murray run)

Records—Oak Harbor 1-2 overall. Everett 2-1.