Thunderbirds blank Royals to remain tied for first place

Published 9:56 am Friday, February 22, 2008

EDMONDS — They don’t look like the same bunch who were caught off guard by a 42-point slap to the face to start the season.

But it’s them all right.

Since putting their opening week debacle behind them, Shorewood’s defense has been nothing short of flawless. The Thunderbirds held Jackson’s quick-strike offense to one touchdown and completely shut down crosstown Shorecrest.

Now, if only the offense would join in.

Not even a matchup against the league’s only winless team could wake Shorewood from its offensive slumber.

Another dominating defensive showing overshadowed a ho-hum effort by the offense, as the T-birds spoiled Lynnwood’s homecoming with a 19-0 Western Conference 4A South Division victory Oct. 4 at Edmonds Stadium.

The win left Shorewood (3-1) in a four-way tie for first place with Edmonds-Woodway, Kamiak and Mountlake Terrace. But either the T-birds or Terrace will drop out of first after tonight’s showdown between the league-leaders.

Lynnwood (0-4) had been allowing 29 points per game but in large part held Shorewood in check. The T-birds rushed for just 109 yards and 79 of quarterback Kevin Young’s 135 passing yards came on one play — a touchdown strike to Howard Sanders with 4:24 left in the first half.

Up to that point, Shorewood’s only points had come from a safety — the result of a high snap that sailed out the back of the end zone on Lynnwood’s second possession.

It was still a 10-point game until late in the third quarter.

“We are not performing up to our capability offensively,” Shorewood coach Jeff Weible said. “It’s not because their guys are better than us. It’s because we’re not doing the little things right.”

Other than their 91-yard scoring drive, the T-birds gained just 30 yards on five first-half possessions. They converted only one of their six third down attempts and were 0-for-3 on fourth down.

“I know the kids can do better than what we’re doing right now,” Weible said.

Shorewood managed just one sustained drive in the second half, as junior fullback Seth Setterberg barged in for a 2-yard touchdown at the 3:41 mark of the third quarter. A 16-yard pass interference penalty against Lynnwood covered the most ground on the eight-play, 54-yard drive.

An interception off a tipped pass halted another drive inside the Lynnwood 20 and Kyle Nilson booted his first field goal of the season from 46 yards out with 3:03 remaining in the game to end the scoring.

While the offense continues to struggle, Shorewood’s defense is only getting stronger. The T-birds held Lynnwood to four first downs and 61 total yards — all on the ground.

“I knew they were an average offensive team and a good defensive team. I didn’t know how good,” Royals coach Kirk Kriskovich said.

Lynnwood’s longest play of the game came on its final possession when Paul St. Marie got free for a 16-yard pick-up. Only one other play spanned more than seven yards and the Royals were tackled for a loss seven times.

Kriskovich credited Shorewood’s aggressive defensive line.

“The interior four players just come after you,” he said. “They prevent you from getting to any linebackers. They’re really tough.”

For the first time this season Shorewood gained more passing yards than rushing yards.

“If we’re going to get out of this league and do anything in the playoffs, we’re going to have to be more balanced,” Weible said.

In their three wins, the T-birds have outscored their opponents 40-6. And though last week marked their highest scoring game of the season, Weible remained critical of the offense’s performance, or lack thereof.

“We haven’t even come close to playing where we can offensively and we’re 3-1,” he said. “We’re right where we want to be.”