King’s football beats Friday Harbor to advance to tri-districts

SHORELINE — King’s took down Friday Harbor in a loser-out district crossover game Friday night.

Strong performances on both sides of the ball were key to the win. Outside linebacker Jonathan Hockman had eight tackles, receiver Ben Welch had five receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns, and King’s special teams had two kickoff recoveries, both on pooch kicks, that amounted to two extra possessions for the Knights.

“Friday Harbor was running from Roko Gucake on one side, who funneled them in to Hockman, and he was up for the challenge tonight,” said King’s director of football operations Sam Roach. Of Welch, Roach said “He is just a receiver that gets open, he is a tough kid. He is not the fastest kid, but he knows how to get open.

“Friday Harbor is a gutsy team … this may have looked like a romp, but we had to work for everything we got,” Roach continued.

Other contributions came from Billy Green, who went 14-for-23 for 189 yards, three TDs and three interceptions, and Zach Evans who had eight rushes for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

Of his team’s performance, King’s head coach Jim Shapiro said “We ran the ball pretty heavy in the first half, we controlled the line of scrimmage. Hats off to Friday Harbor, they took their second drive, drove the field and scored. It was pretty close the first half. We wore them down on the line of scrimmage.”

Kings will now play a tri-district crossover game against a yet to be determined Pierce County team next Friday at King’s. The winner moves on to the state tournament.

At King’s H.S.

Friday Harbor7006—13

King’s141467—41

K—Evans 21 run (Gleghorn kick)

FH—Skeenkolk 2 run (Raddon kick)

K—Ben Welch from Green 38 pass (Gleghorn kick)

K—Evans 20 run (kick failed)

K—Welch from Green 22 pass (Taylor from Green pass, conversion good)

K—Brune from Green 6 pass (conversion failed)

K—Hanson 11 run (Fransen kick)

FH—Raddon 5 run (kick failed)

Records—Friday Harbor2-7 overall. King’s 7-2.