Knights go on a Qwest

Published 10:04 pm Saturday, September 20, 2008

SEATTLE — When you watch a game at Qwest Field, it is something to behold. When you play at Qwest Field, it is on hallowed ground.

When you win at Qwest Field, it is something real special.

The Kamiak Knights ran all over Wesco South opponent Shorewood, thumping the Thunderbirds 35-2 in the Best of the West Football Classic Saturday at Qwest Field. The win gave Kamiak its first victory of the season and improved the Knights’ record to 1-1 in conference play and 1-2 overall.

Everything from the pregame essentials to the bus ride home, Kamiak head coach Dan Mack said, was something special for his players.

“It was really neat just walking into the locker room that the San Francisco 49ers played in last, and had all their name plates still on the wall and football scripts laying around,” Mack said.

Both teams were 0-2 heading into the contest.

The Knights got things going early defensively, forcing two interceptions and one fumble.

“I was really happy with the way we played defensively,” Mack said. “We were just trying to get better, and looked at this game and none of the other ones ahead of us.”

The offense matched the defense’s impressive play, as quarterback Sam Ruppel passed for 128 yards for a touchdown, on the strength of 13-for-28 passing. He also showed his quickness, gashing the Shorewood defense for two rushing touchdowns in the second half, piling up 48 yards on nine carries.

Tyler Lambert had in six catches for 52 yards and a TD.

The running game also showed signs of progress as Aaron Miller and Jake Sorter combined for 95 yards and two touchdowns.

Mack said he is surprised with the shakeups that took place throughout the Wesco South, including Friday’s Mountlake Terrace upset over Meadowdale and both Jackson and Cascade losing in non-conference games.

Kamiak hopes to ride the momentum of this victory into next week’s battle with Meadowdale. That could turn out to be a classic game with Kamiak applying pressure defensively, and Meadowdale with the possessing the ability to do serious damage both on the ground and through the air.

Shorewood dropped to 0-2 in Wesco South play and 0-3 overall.

At Qwest Field

Shorewood2000—2

Kamiak71477—35

K—Lambert 6 pass from Ruppel (Watts kick)

SW—Ball snapped out of end zone

K—Miller 1 run (kick failed)

K—Ruppel 20 run (Carrey pass from Ruppel)

K—Ruppel 1 run (Watts kick)

K—Sorter 1 run (Watts kick)

Records—Shorewood 0-2 league, 0-3 overall. Kamiak 1-1, 1-2.