EVERETT — The Cascade Bruins won the Battle of Broadway on Friday night at Everett Memorial Stadium, defeating the crosstown rival Everett Seagulls 32-22 in the non-league high school football season opener for both teams.
Cascade used a devastating running game that accumulated 464 yards, with three different backs — senior Max Nelson, junior Davanta Murphy-McMillan and sophomore Michael Purl — eclipsing the 100-yard mark. That running staked the Bruins to a 20-0 lead late in the second quarter that Everett was unable to overcome.
Cascade also was lethal on fourth down. Three times the Bruins scored touchdowns when going for it on fourth down, twice when it was fourth and long.
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Cascade outgained Everett 501-112 for the game. The Seagulls were able to keep it competitive through a combination of good special teams play and capitalizing on Cascade mistakes. A fumble recovery in the end zone early in the third quarter saw Everett pull within four points at 26-22, but the Seagulls never threatened again.
IMPACT
Friday’s game was the first game in charge for both coaches: Cascade’s Jordan Sieh and Everett’s David Coldiron. Sieh, who is a former Bruins player, picked up the victory in his first time out, and he achieved the benchmark against Cascade’s district rival. The Bruins claimed their second straight Battle of Broadway after prevailing 46-0 last year.
TURNING POINT
The key play of the game came toward the end of the first quarter. Cascade had a 7-0 lead, but had just been pinned on its own 2-yard line. However, on second down Nelson took an inside handoff, broke outside to the right, then sprinted away from the defense down the right sideline for a 98-yard touchdown. The score gave the Bruins a 14-0 lead and left Everett playing catch-up the rest of the game.
TOP PERFORMERS
Max Nelson, Cascade — Rushed 20 times for 209 yards and two touchdowns, including a 98-yard scamper. He also had the interception that clinched the victory in the final three minutes.
Davanta Murphy-McMillan, Cascade — Rushed 23 times for 149 yards and a touchdown. Also caught two passes for 37 yards and another score.
Michael Purl, Cascade — Rushed 10 times for 109 yards and a touchdown, with his TD coming on a breathtaking spinning and juking 81-yard run.
Christian Balmer, Everett — Rushed 13 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
Jeremy Reed, Everett — Had kickoff returns of 63 yards and 61 yards to set up both of Balmer’s touchdowns.
Lester Howard, Everett — When Cascade had confusion on a punt, resulting in snap issues, Howard recovered the loose ball in the end zone for the touchdown that cut the deficit to four.
VIDEO
Cascade RB Max Nelson from Everett Herald on Vimeo.
Cascade coach Jordan Sieh from Everett Herald on Vimeo.
Everett coach David Coldiron from Everett Herald on Vimeo.
LOOKAHEAD
Cascade plays another non-league game next Friday when the Bruins play host to Bishop Blanchet. Everett dives into Wesco 3A South play next Friday when the Seagulls head to Edmonds Stadium to take on Lynnwood.
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