Glacier Peak wins 8th straight over rival Snohomish

SNOHOMISH — Glacier Peak has found numerous ways, year-after-year, to pile up eight consecutive wins over city-rival Snohomish.

Since the two schools on opposite ends of the Snohomish Valley began playing each other in 2012, the Grizzlies have won each time.

On Friday night in front of a packed house at Veterans Memorial Stadium, GP featured a dominant defensive performance in what was the latest chapter of Panther disappointment in the annual game.

“Our kids never believed they were going to score,” Glacier Peak coach Shane Keck said. “We didn’t give up a touchdown, to a great offense. They have fantastic coaches and a great program, so I’m super psyched for our kids.”

The Grizzles’ defense came up with critical back-to-back second half first-and-goal stops and foiled the Panthers’ attack much of the night, earning a 24-3 win.

GP running back and linebacker Ryan Black had a game-high 86 rushing yards on seven carries, scoring once in the first half before sealing the game with a 50-yard TD late in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Grady Kentch led the Panthers with 105 passing yards to go with 33 rushing yards.

Glacier Peak (2-0), which enjoyed great field position most of the first half, took a 7-0 first quarter lead on a 5-yard Black touchdown run up the middle with 27 seconds to play in the first quarter.

Grizzlies wide receiver and kicker Brayden Corwin was responsible for GP’s next 10 points. He hauled in a 25-yard touchdown reception with 3:30 remaining in the second quarter on a fourth-and-5 and added a 41-yard field goal as the first half expired, giving the Grizzlies a 17-3 halftime lead.

Panthers kicker Kyler Hammer made a 36-yard field goal with 1:52 to go in the first half to get Snohomish (0-2) on the scoreboard.

Glacier Peak, which like Snohomish struggled some running the ball, put the game away late with Black’s 50-yard score.

TOP PLAYERS

Brayden Corwin, Glacier Peak — The senior wide receiver and kicker caught five passes for 47 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown from QB Tyson Lang on a fourth down. Corwin also nailed a 41-yard field goal as the first half expired

Ryan Black, Glacier Peak — Black, a junior, was one of GP’s leaders on defense. In a limited offensive role, he finished with a team-high 86 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.

Trevor Meldrom, Glacier Peak — Meldrom led the Grizzlies’ passing attack, hauling in eight passes for 80 yards. The junior also logged an interception.

Grady Kentch, Snohomish — A big 6-foot-4, 221-pound quarterback, Kentch became the Panthers’ best option running the ball and finished with 33 yards. He also threw for 105 yards, but had a receiver drop a pass that would have went for a long touchdown.

QUOTABLE

“I think we can be the best defense in Wesco, for sure.” — Glacier Peak junior linebacker/running back Ryan Black

PLAY OF THE GAME

Snohomish was trailing 17-3 at the start of the fourth quarter, but the Panthers had a first-and-goal on GP’s 2-yard line. Twice Glacier Peak stuffed Snohomish run plays. Kentch threw an incomplete pass on third down to bring up a fourth-and-goal on the GP 2. Kentch took a QB sweep around the left side, but was met by group of Grizzly defenders, led by Ryan Kinney, for a crucial turnover on downs.

UP NEXT

Glacier Peak opens Wesco 4A league play with a home game against Jackson at 7 p.m. next Friday. Snohomish will travel to play Shorewood at the same time and date for its league opener.

Senior running back Dylan Owen is tackled by a Snohomish defender on Friday, Sept. 13 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Katie Webber / The Herald)

Senior wide receiver Jace Handshy chargers through the Snohomish defense on Friday, Sept. 13 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Katie Webber / The Herald)

Junior wide receiver Patrick McKenzie falls while being tackled by a Snohomish defender on Friday, Sept. 13 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Katie Webber / The Herald)

Junior quarterback Grady Kentch runs with the ball against Glacier Peak on Friday, Sept. 13 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Katie Webber / The Herald)

Senior wide receiver Blake Pesznecker falls while being tackled by a Glacier Peak defender on Friday, Sept. 13 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Katie Webber / The Herald)

Junior wide receiver Matt Torgeson runs for a first down against Snohomish on Friday, Sept. 13 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Katie Webber / The Herald)

Snohomish High School students cheer before the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Sept. 13 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Katie Webber / The Herald)

The Glacier Peak High School band performs before the Snohomish and Glacier Peak game on Friday, Sept. 13 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Katie Webber / The Herald)

Snohomish High School’s panther mascot watches as Glacier Peak players enter the locker room on Friday, Sept. 13 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Katie Webber / The Herald)