His team is 6-0, won its first league game by 41 points last week and seems to run the ball at will against every opponent. But Archbishop Thomas Murphy football coach Terry Ennis isn’t relaxed.
Poised with the phrase, “So far, so good,” to describe his team’s performance this season, Ennis is wary.
“That’s what the guy jumping off the 19-story building says when he passes the 11th floor,” Ennis chuckled. “You never know when the crash is going to come.”
So far, the defending Class A state-champion Wildcats (1-0 in the Northwest A League, 6-0 overall) haven’t offered the slightest hint of falling from their Mount Everest-like perch. They’ve scored an average of 51.5 points per game and limited their competition to less than 13. Ennis is happy, but not overconfident.
“We’re pleased to be where we are,” he said. But with league contests on the horizon, “now each game is really critical.”
Saturday, Archbishop Murphy hosts undefeated Orcas Island (1-0, 5-0). “We had some trouble with them last year,” Ennis said. “This is really an important game, as far as league standings are concerned. They have a good nucleus of talent.”
In preparation for such a key game, the focus is on scouting instead of simply pumping up the Wildcats, Ennis said. “The preparation is done in knowing what you need to stop and how to attack them (Orcas Island) … and getting a feel for them during the week.”
Last week, Archbishop traveled to LaConner (0-1, 2-2) and put on another rushing clinic in a 55-14 victory. The Wildcats romped for 468 yards on 48 running attempts (9.75 yards per carry). Senior running back Ben Waiss tallied 100 yards and scored four touchdowns, giving him eight this season. Senior back Jevon Butler racked up 133 yards on 13 carries and scored his team-leading 14th TD, while back Doug VanderWel contributed 77 yards on seven attempts.
Junior quarterback Kyle Wilkins was 2-for-2 passing for 56 yards and one score. Senior split end Ian Telge caught both tosses.
“We had a very balanced attack,” Ennis said. “Everybody made a good contribution.”
The offense lost two fumbles, which Ennis said, “slowed us down.” The first miscue occurred in the first quarter deep in LaConner territory. LaConner’s Jermaine Wade scooped up the loose ball and raced 85 yards for his team’s first TD to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 7-6.
Archbishop Murphy’s defense surrendered just 51 rushing yards and 212 overall. Senior linebacker Wes Taylor led the way with eight tackles and one sack, and senior defensive end Jeff Arkell played well, Ennis said. LaConner’s Wade broke free for 94 receiving yards on two catches, including a 62-yard fourth-quarter TD catch.
Excluding that play, Archbishop Murphy’s defense improved throughout the game.
“We got off to kind of a slow start,” Ennis said. “(Orcas Island was) keeping us off balance, but as the game went on we got stronger.”
Overall, the Wildcats have played solid defense this season, but they must avoid making costly mistakes, Ennis said. “We’re giving up some big plays. That’s what we’re trying to eliminate.
“The best part of our defense has been we’re playing pretty hard and pretty physical.”
Ennis said Archbishop Murphy hasn’t yet reached its potential – certainly a scary thought for opponents – but he appreciates the players’ approach to each practice and each game: “Their working and preparation has been great.”
This team has loads of physical and mental maturity, and more depth than last year’s championship squad, Ennis said. But do the 2003 Wildcats have the intensity, the hunger and the drive to repeat?
Said Ennis: “I don’t think we’ll know that until the end of the season.”
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