Cascade stops rival Everett

Published 12:33 am Saturday, September 8, 2007

EVERETT – To the victors go the spoils and, on this occasion, a little bit more.

“That’s for Broadway bragging rights,” Cascade’s Lorne Bridgford said after his Bruins overcame five turnovers to grind out a 14-0 victory over the Everett Seagulls in a 4A Western Conference North Division game Friday night at Everett Memorial Stadium.

In a contest in which the defenses dominated, Cascade’s one-two offensive backfield punch of Bridgford and Julian Willis, both seniors, proved to be the difference.

Bridgford rushed 29 times for 135 yards. Willis countered with 13 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown. He added a 36-yard kickoff return and a 40-yard punt return.

“We collaborated,” Willis laughed. “This is incredible. Last year Everett beat us 14-10 and had the say-so. Now, as seniors, we can all walk away proud.”

Cascade coach Jake Huizinga told his team to enjoy the win, but wasn’t completely enthralled.

“We really have some work ahead of us,” Huizinga said, noting the turnovers and penalties that plagued the Bruins (1-1 in division and overall). “Five turnovers? It seemed like more.”

“When I look at the film I don’t think I’m going to be very happy,” Huizinga continued. “Our defense played well and Everett kept playing hard.”

Everett (1-1, 1-1) was likewise hurt by turnovers. Bridgford and Willis each intercepted a pass in the first half. Nick Morrison and Jordan Duffy had second-half picks.

Morrison, a senior who returned his interception 53 yards, boomed punts of 57 and 53 yards in the first half to keep Everett pinned down.

Everett punter Jake Frauenholtz proved a key figure in the battle for field position with his consistent boots, including a 51-yarder in the first half. He added a pair of touchdown-saving tackles as well as an interception and 40 yard return on the first play of the fourth quarter that gave the Seagulls, trailing just 7-0, a spark.

Cascade opened the game with a crisp 10-play, 58-yard scoring drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Willis.

Everett had just three first downs in the first half and generated 35 net rushing yards. Twenty-three of those yards came on a run by Alex Schaller that got the Seagulls out of a hole after being pinned down at their own 12-yard line by Morrison’s 57-yard punt.

Cascade had eight first downs after its first three possessions, but got none on its next three.

The early success was keyed by Willis, who had a pair of 13-yard runs, and Bridgford, who added rushes of 12 and 15 yards.

Another Cascade highlight came early in the second quarter when quarterback Aaron Frye, whose 3-yard TD run made the score 14-0 with just over a minute to play, hooked up with split end Paul Heer on a 35-yard pass play.

Cascade had scoring opportunities on each of its first two possessions of the second half.

Willis’ 40-yard punt return set the Bruins up at the Everett 20. Three plays later Willis fumbled near the goal line and Everett’s Rendel Jones who had an interception in the first half came up with the football for a touchback.

On two ensuing possessions Cascade again lost fumbles in Everett territory, which were recovered by the Seagulls’ Jake Anstett and Mackenzie Bierman.

But, despite numerous forays into Cascade territory in the second half, Everett was unable to generate sufficient offense to capitalize on the Bruins’ miscues.

At Everett Memorial Stadium

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CascadeWillis 1 run (McDonald kick)

CascadeFrye 3 run (McDonald kick)

RecordsCascade 1-1 in division and overall. Everett 1-1, 1-1.