Stanwood tops Cascade for first win of season

EVERETT — It’s been a long season for both the Stanwood and Cascade football teams.

Friday night the heavy load got a little lighter for at least one of them.

With both teams looking for their first wins of the 2011 campaign, Stanwood jumped out to a 35-0 lead en route to a 51-21 win over the Bruins Friday night for its first win of the season.

“It’s nice to get one and have the kids feel like all that work was worth it,” said Stanwood head coach Aaron Cupp. “Any time you win it makes football fun again.”

Fun wouldn’t be the word on the other sideline. More like misery. After going winless a year ago, Cascade is on the precipice of doing it again this year. The Bruins turned the ball over nine times and didn’t score until late in the second quarter, already trailing by 35 points.

Like a year ago, Cascade has been besieged by injuries. Cascade head coach Nick Clovsky said that seven starters on offense and six on defense were on junior varsity when the season started. After losing starting quarteback Larry Bruce in the opener, Cascade has also lost key starters Randin Crecelius, Zac Duncan and Ryan Lucas to injury this season.

“I’ve never been in a situation like the past two years when from week to week you don’t know who’s going to play,” Clovsky said. “I thought last year was an anamoly but it’s worse this year. We’re just devastated by injuries. We’re bringing up freshman to fill out our roster.”

The game couldn’t have started any worse for Cascade. The Bruins fumbled on their first play from scrimmage and then repeated it on their second possession. The third time they got the ball, they coughed it up on the third play.

Stanwood jumped on the opportunity, turning all of those turnovers into points and jumping out to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Spartans weren’t done. Ryan Randall rumbled 19 yards for a touchdown and the Spartans returned a Cascade fumble for a touchdown to go up 35-0.

Before halftime, Cascade showed a glimmer as Tay’lor Eubanks hits Paul Larson for a 47-yard catch and run for the team’s first touchdown.

In the second half, Stanwood sophomore quarterback Drew Wright got an opportunity to throw the ball despite the lopsided score. Some of his throws were on target, including a 46-yard pass play to Jake Campbell, while others were ill advised. Wright threw two interceptions in the second half and ended the game 16-for-30 for 233 yards and a touchdown.

“For only his third start I think he’s doing very well,” Cupp said of Wright, who will likely go into camp next summer as the starter. “Certainly there are some things he needs to get better at, but there are other things that I think he’s ahead of where I expected him to be. It’s nice for him to get a lot of snaps and throw the ball.”

For Cupp, though, it was a special night for the seniors on the team. Two in particular had very good nights. Kyle Bennett had an 8-yard touchdown run and returned a fumble for a touchdown and Dylan Lowry scored twice and had 81 yards rushing.

“It’s real special,” Cupp said of the win for the senior class. “They’ve been our leaders and they’ve worked so hard and they do all the right things, and to have a senior season like this is tough so this is nice for them.”

Cascade will attempt to get that win for its seniors next week against Lynnwood in the season finale. Stanwood takes on another winless team in Marysville Getchell.

At Everett Memorial Stadium

Stanwood 14 21 9 7 — 51

Cascade 0 7 7 7 — 21

S–Cameron 29 pass from Wright (Cameron kick)

S–Lowry 8 run (Cameron kick)

S–Bennett 8 run (Cameron kick)

S–Randall 19 run (Cameron kick)

S–Bennett fumble recovery (Cameron kick)

C–Larson 47 pass from Eubanks (Bishop kick)

S–Wright 4 run (Cameron kick)

C–Brady interception return (Bishop kick)

S–Safety, Eubanks sacked in end zone