By Aaron Coe
Herald Writer
EVERETT — No blowout this time, but Kamiak escaped with a 14-7 victory over Shorewood on a rainy Friday night at Goddard Stadium.
The constant downpour grounded the Kamiak offense for much of the game, but the Knights got a tough 119 yards on 22 carries from tailback Justin Washington and a big play from defensive end Ricky Reed in the final moments of the Western Conference South Division contest.
Reed, who was playing in only his second game of the season, ruined the Thunderbirds’ promising bid to send the game into overtime. Shorewood saw a first-and-10 at the Kamiak 19 turn into fourth-and-9 at the 18, before Reed crashed through the line and sacked the Thunderbirds. Reed’s jarring blow caused the ball to pop free.
It was recovered by Shorewood, but seemingly miles away from the first down marker.
The victory kept Kamiak undefeated and assured the Knights of their second first-place finish in three years. Kamiak is 8-0 in the conference and overall.
Despite the loss, Shorewood still can lock up the third and final South Division playoff spot with a victory over struggling Mountlake Terrace next week.
Kamiak, which came into the game outscoring opponents 318-83, got its first test of the season from Shorewood (5-3, 5-3).
"We’ve got targets on our back every week," Reed said. "I knew we would make something happen. I knew (the final Shorewood play) was going to be a pass, so I just went after him."
From the early moments of the game, it was clear that Kamiak wasn’t going to use many of the passing pages in the play book. Running plays were often interesting enough. Both teams fumbled numerous times, including fumbled snaps that were recovered by the offenses.
Washington ran up the middle five consecutive times on the Knights opening drive before facing third-and-eight from the Kamiak 40.
The monotony ended there, with Kamiak’s Derrick Bradley taking and inside reverse 60 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Kamiak lead six minutes into the game.
With constant rain pelting the field, the Knights uncharacteristically attempted only five passes in the first half — two of them shots at the end zone with time running out.
"We knew with the rain we were going to have to run the football," Kamiak coach Dan Mack said. "Give Shorewood credit, they did a nice job. I’m proud of the way our kids came through."
Johnny Mack’s first pass began Kamiak’s second TD drive. Jamal Jackson hauled in the 31-yard throw, then the Knights went back to Washington. The 6-foot, 200-pound senior did the rest, running three times for 43 yards, including a 20-yard TD that gave the Knights the 14-7 lead with 8 1/2 minutes remaining in the half.
And that was it.
Both teams ran the ball effectively at times in the second half, but much of the game was a battle between the 30-yard lines. Washington said he was impressed with Shorewood’s defense, but Kamiak’s offensive line was the difference.
"I trust my line, ‘The Dozers,’" Washington said. "They do all the work. My part’s easy. It feels good to win the league again. Now we want to go finish it off in the Tacoma Dome."
Prior to Kamiak’s second score, Shorewood’s Shea Tonkin made his first of two fumble recoveries at the Knights’ 14. Matt Wuerffel, a distant cousin to former Florida Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, made it pay off with a 3-yard TD run to tie the score 7-7 with 10:25 left in the half.
Shorewood had first-and-goal at the Kamiak 3 early in the second quarter, but Knights nose guard Peter Spadafora forced a Shorewood fumble and the Knights recovered to retain the fragile 7-point cushion that proved to be the final margin.
Shorewood’s Seth Setterberg gained 72 yards on 12 first-half carries, and finished the game with 111 yards on 17 attempts. Washington rushed 11 times for 65 yards in the half.
Shorewood |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
— |
7 |
Kamiak |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
— |
14 |
Kamiak—Bradley 60 run (Leach kick)
Shorewood—Wuerffel 3 run (Massy kick)
Kamiak—Washington 20 run (Leach kick)
Records—Shorewood 5-3 in league, 5-3 overall. Kamiak 8-0, 8-0.
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