Kolste, Marty are the forgotten QBs
Published 12:03 am Thursday, October 27, 2011
It’s hard to be overlooked when you’re the one taking every snap and barking out every play in the huddle, but for Oak Harbor’s Ian Kolste and Meadowdale’s Brian Marty that’s often the case.
Playing for teams that have devastatingly good running games, both Kolste and Marty are often seen as just vehicles to get the ball into the hands of guys like Brent Ryan and Giavani Shepard. That’s not fair, though, according to Oak Harbor coach Jay Turner.
“Ian is our leader in the huddle,” said Turner. “I can’t say enough about the kid and what he’s done for us.”
Can’t make it to tonight’s Oak Harbor-Meadowdale game? Follow along on Twitter as Herald prep editor Aaron Swaney will be tweeting live photos, videos and updates from the game at www.twitter.com/swaney_aaron79
Both first-year starters, Kolste and Marty lead their teams into what is basically the Wesco 3A championship game. Tied at 7-0 atop the Wesco 3A standings, Oak Harbor and Meadowdale face off tonight in the game that will decide who wins the Wesco 3A and takes the league’s No. 1 seed into next week’s quad-districts.
“I just told our kids, ‘Remember this moment,’ ” said Meadowdale head coach Mark Stewart. “This is two undefeated teams playing for a championship. It takes a lot of hard work to get to this point.”
Hard work is what Marty put in during the offseason. With the departure of Nathan Ball, the Mavs had a void behind center and Marty did everything he could to win the job.
Check out Aaron Swaney and Tom Lafferty’sprep football picks
“He did what he needed to do to win the competition in the spring and summer and he was the guy,” said Stewart. “He stepped into the role and he’s been a big part of our offense.”
Most of Meadowdale’s games have been blowouts — six of the Mavs’ wins have been by 31 points or more — but in its closest game of the season, a 34-17 win over Glacier Peak, Marty threw for two touchdowns, including a third-quarter TD pass to Ryan White that came after Glacier Peak had clawed its way back into the game and trailed just 21-17.
“As the season has gone on he’s become more and more comfortable with the offense and that’s allowed us to open it up,” said Stewart of Marty, who threw for 171 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win over Lynnwood.
For Kolste it was more about growing physically. “Ian went from real skinny to a much bigger and stronger kid,” Turner said. “That’s allowed him to feel more comfortable back there.”
To be fair, much of the pressure of being quarterback has been alleviated because of the guys toting the ball for each team. For Oak Harbor, Brent Ryan is the bash to Josiah Miller’s slash. Ryan and Miller have combined to rush for 2,240 yards and 33 touchdowns, with Ryan leading in yards (1,133) and Miller in touchdowns (18).
Meadowdale counters with its quick and elusive running back Giavani Shepard, who has rushed for 828 yards and eight touchdowns. Kyle Newsom is Meadowdale’s tough inside runner, having rushed for 422 yards and nine scores.
As for the game itself, it could come down to Meadowdale’s defense against Oak Harbor’s offense, or the immovable object against the unstoppable force. The Mavericks have limited opponents to one touchdown or less in six games this season, while Oak Harbor has scored 42 or more points in seven games this year.
Turner said he’s been watching tape on Meadowdale for the past three weeks and he’s come up empty in the best way to attack the Mavs defense.
“I’ve been searching for weaknesses and I just haven’t found any,” Turner said. “We’re going to have to earn everything (tonight).”
One disadvantage for Oak Harbor is the travel factor. The Wildcats will travel 77 miles to Edmonds Stadium today to play Meadowdale, but Turner said his team is used to the long hours on the bus. “Really for us it’s just another road trip,” Turner said.
Besides the ability to call themselves Wesco 3A champs, the winner of tonight’s game will host the Greater St. Helen’s League No. 3 seed while the loser hosts the Metro No. 5.
My pick: Meadowdale 38, Oak Harbor 36
Everett at Glacier Peak
7 p.m., Snohomish Veteran’s Mem. Stadium
It’s do-or-die time for the Seagulls.
With the fourth, and final, Wesco 3A playoff spot up for grabs, Everett (4-3 in Wesco 3A) travels to Glacier Peak (5-2) and has a chance to throw the middle pack of the league into upheaval. If the Seagulls win and Shorecrest beats a winless Marysville Getchell team, Everett, Glacier Peak and the Scots will be tied at 5-3 with two playoff spots available. Everett likely must win because Shorecrest (4-3) is a heavy favorite against MG.
The tiebreaker would be the same as what happened in the Wesco North last weekend. Everett, GP and Shorecrest would play a Kansas tiebreaker at Everett Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m.
“The kids are excited for the opportunity to keep playing,” said Everett head coach Will Soren.
Everett will have to lean on star running back Blake Williams if it wants to beat the Grizzlies. Williams has averaged a little more than 200 yards on the ground in Everett’s wins.
The Seagulls hope to welcome back quarterback Riley Ayers tonight. Ayers was knocked out of last Friday’s game against Mountlake Terrace after he took a hard hit to the head. Ayers practiced today for the first time this week and Soren said he’ll most likely start tonight’s game.
My pick: Glacier Peak 31, Everett 19
South Whidbey at Lakewood
7 p.m., Lakewood H.S.
Lakewood can clinch the Cascade Conference No. 1 seed with a win against South Whidbey tonight. By virture of their win over Archbishop Murphy earlier in the season, the Cougars will take the No. 1 seed despite being in a tie with the Wildcats if they win and Murphy beats Sultan tonight.
No way Lakewood lets a chance like this slip away.
My pick: Lakewood 42, South Whidbey 17
