By Chris Trujillo
Herald Writer
SHORELINE – The Shorewood Thunderbirds knew exactly what to expect. After all, they run the exact same type of offense.
The way they ran it, however, proved to be much different.
The one-two punch of running backs Matt Wuerffle and Seth Setterberg proved too tough stop, as the duo helped Shorewood defeat the Everett Seagulls 35-7 Friday in a Western Conference South Division game at Shoreline Stadium.
The victory keeps the Thunderbirds’ playoff hopes alive with a record of 5-2. Although not mathamatically eliminated, Everett may be out of the playoff picture at 3-4.
“We practiced against our own defense,” Everett coach Paul Lawrence said. “Our offenses are so simliar, but I have to hand it their offense, it was very effective.”
Wuerffel and Setterberg, who scored two touchdowns on runs of 2 and 22, combined for 180 of the team’s 182 rushing yards. Wuerffel, who led the team with 96 yards on seven carries, also collected a sack and seven tackles on defense.
“Our offensive line blocked great,” he said. “Our running game is the strongest part of our team. We needed this win because we play Kamiak next week. And that will be big.”
Aside from it methodical rushing attack, Shorewood benefited from three Everett turnovers. Dwayne Dowdell gave the Thunderbirds a 21-7 lead just before half time when he recovered a fumbled kickoff in the end zone.
Shorewood finished with 245 yards to Everett’s 169, 97 of which came from the running game. Shorewood collected 14 first downs, 11 on running plays.
After falling behind 7-0, Shorewood answered Everett’s game-opening scoring drive with a six-play, 70-yard touchdown drive.
Wuerffel rescued the Thunderbirds with a 38-yard run on third-and-long to set them up at Everett’s 2-yard line. Seth Setterberg scored one play later to tie the score at 7.
Wuerffel ignited Shorewood’s second drive of the game with a 28-yard run, setting the Thunderbirds again inside Everett’s 5-yard line. Kevin scored from the 3-yard line to give Shorewood a 14-7 lead.
Lee Smith gave Everett the early lead on a 12-yard run to capoff a 64-yard drive. The Seagulls marched down the field via a string of effective inside counter run plays. Doast led the charge while collecting more than half of the team’s yardon four carries for 39 yards.
Shorewood-Setterberg 2 run (Massy kick)
Shorewood-Young 1 run (Massy kick)
Shorewood-Dowdell fumble recovery in end zone (Massy kick)
Shorewood-Washington 3 run (Massy kick)
Shorewood-Setterberg 22 run (Massy kick)
Records-Everett 3-4 in league, 3-4 overall. Shorewood 5-2, 5-2.
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Everett-Lee 12 run (Snyder kick)
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