EVERETT – Drenched in postgame Gatorade, Everett football coach Paul Lawrence climbed up on a lockerroom bench to apply a strip of athletic tape on the wall next to five other strips, each signifying a Seagull victory this season.
“The last time I did this was in 1960 when we were state champions,” Lawrence shouted above the din.
All but given up for dead in recent weeks, Everett closed its season with a resounding 40-28 Western Conference South Division victory over the previously high-flying Jackson Timberwolves Friday at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Everett and Jackson finished division play with identical records of 6-3.
“We had to fight back from adversity,” Lawrence told the Seagulls, who came in reeling with losses in three of their last four games after a promising 4-0 start. “And you dominated, you dominated. I love every one of you guys. You did a great job.”
Indeed, Everett ran roughshod over Jackson, amassing 382 yards rushing. The carnage was spread primarily by running backs Andrew Skorney (27 carries,166 yards), Justin Ehling (21, 141) and Justin Boyce (23, 85).
Lawrence praised the offensive line and the leg churning beasts of burden in the Everett backfield. “We give out ‘Yak’s’ for yards after contact,” Lawrence said. “All three guys got a lot of those tonight.”
Skorney, who ran for three touchdowns and caught a 24-yard pass for another, credited the offensive line of Rick Gervasi, Tommy Andre, Ben Wasilowski, Kenny Hudson, Alex Wertheimer and Isaac Hicks.
“We had a great push up front,” Skorney understated. “They make the holes, I just follow.”
“We lost the battle up front. I have a lot of respect for those Everett offensive and defensive linemen,” Jackson coach Joel Vincent said. “Going into the half I felt fortunate we were in the game.”
In a wild back and forth exchange late in the second quarter, the teams combined for four touchdowns in five minutes.
Despite owning the line of scrimmage, the Seagulls trailed 21-20 at halftime. They opened the third quarter by marching 77 yards on a 13-play drive capped by Boyce’s 2-yard TD run. On the drive Skorney thrice ran for first downs on third and long.
After forcing a Jackson punt, Everett needed just seven rushing plays, including runs of 19 and 17 yards by Ehling, to go 64 yards for another score. Skorney’s 5-yard TD run put Everett ahead 34-21 with 53 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
The Seagulls forced another Jackson punt and promptly traveled 55 yards on 11 running plays. Skorney’s 6-yard TD run capped the drive as Everett built its lead to 40-21 with 6:56 remaining.
Thirty-two seconds later Jackson’s Richie Tri (nine receptions, 153 yards) caught a 46-yard TD pass from Timberwolves quarterback Jake Gelakoska (11-for-18, 226 yards) to cut the margin to 40-28.
Shawn Klaus (15 carries, 81 yards, 2 TDs) snuffed Everett’s next possession with a tackle for a loss and a sack of Seagull quarterback Bryce Levin (4-for-6, 83 yards, TD) that allowed Jackson to take over on downs at its own 42.
Four passes from Gelakoska to Tri got Jackson to the Seagull 2-yard line with less than three minutes remaining. Two plays later, Everett forced a fumble to stifle Jackson’s comeback hopes.
“I don’t think anybody but our kids thought we were gonna win this football game,” said Lawrence, who will retire at the end of this season. “I’m just flying high. I’m ecstatic.”
At Everett
Everett713146-40
Jackson71407-28
Everett-Skorney 11 run (Beckman kick)
Jackson-Klaus 8 run (Bruns kick)
Everett-Boyce 3 run (kick failed)
Jackson-Klaus 6 run (Bruns kick)
Everett-Skorney 24 pass from Levin (Beckman kick)
Jackson-Tri fumble recovery in the end zone (Bruns kick)
Everett-Boyce 2 run (Beckman kick)
Everett-Skorney 5 run (Beckman kick)
Everett-Skorney 6 run (kick failed)
Jackson-Tri 46 pass from Gelakoska (Bruns kick)
Records-Everett 6-3 in league, 6-3 overall. Jackson 6-3, 6-3.
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