Meadowdale is back on track, while crosstown rival Lynnwood is off track.
The Mavericks scored 21 points in the first quarter and followed up with a touchdown in each of the subsequent quarters to pummel Lynnwood 42-0 in a Western Conference 3A football game Oct. 24 at Edmonds Stadium.
The victory snapped a two-game skid for the Mavericks (2-1 in the league, 4-3 overall). The Royals (0-4, 0-7) had a disappointing performance, according to coach Dorian Manza.
“(The Mavericks) came out guns a blazing,” Manza said. “They were fired up.”
The same could not be said of the Royals, who a week earlier had played what Manza said was one of their best games of the season.
“This might have been one of our worst games,” Manza said. “We came out really flat.”
Three starters made timely returns for the Mavericks and coach Mark Stewart.
Ben Shebly and Darin Dysart both returned to the Meadowdale backfield and lineman Dylan Griffins also was back in the starting lineup.
“It worked out real well,” Stewart said. “We played really well.”
The Mavericks were able to take all the emotion out of Lynnwood’s homecoming night right away with the three touchdowns in the first quarter.
Junior running back Naji Moore-Taylor scored on runs of 19 and 40 yards and Shebly had an 8-yard touchdown run.
“It was real important to get out and execute,” Stewart said. “We put some drives together. … Defensively we played real tough. I think our defense has been pretty steady in not giving up the big play.
“It was definitely a complete effort.”
The Lynnwood offense took a big hit when senior quarterback Jared Shippey was knocked out of the game with an ankle sprain on the first play of the contest. Not having Shippey shifted the entire burden of running the offense to senior Geoff Meinken and severely limited the Royals’ options on offense.
Shippey gave Lynnwood the option to throw deep and allowed the Royals to mix it up on offense. The Mavericks adjusted accordingly.
“They loaded up the box and absolutely shut us down,” Manza said. “They didn’t let us get any yards.”
Lynnwood’s uninspired play was a surprise to Manza, who said his players had a solid week of focused practice.
“We certainly didn’t play like that on Friday,” Manza said.
Meadowdale was missing one of its top receivers in Cameron Bayer, who was held out of the game due to a slight concussion, according to Stewart.
Stewart made some changes on offense in an effort to be a little more diverse. Shebly return to the backfield after playing on defense and Moore-Taylor shifted from fullback to halfback.
“It was all hands on deck,” Stewart said. “It was time for everybody to get going.”
The results were positive as Moore-Taylor ran for 116 yards on 12 carries. Senior quarterback Matt McDonagh scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter and threw a 9-yard pass to tight end Connor Hamlett in the third quarter. Hamlett finished with four catches for 35 yards.
The Meadowdale defense scored the Mavericks’ final touchdown as Taylor Brennan returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown.
The victory kept Meadowdale in the 3A playoff picture. The Mavericks, along with Everett, Shorecrest and Glacier Peak, are tied for first with 2-1 marks. Meadowdale hosts the Seagulls at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31 at Edmonds Stadium. Shorecrest takes on Glacier Peak.
“We’re definitely going to have to play our best next week,” Stewart said. “Good effort (this week). Next week we start the playoffs. … Playoff time means getting ready to play or go home.”
• Junior running back Naji Moore-Taylor rushed for 116 yards on 12 carries and scored two touchdowns as Meadowdale cruised to a 42-0 victory over Lynnwood in a Western Conference 3A game Oct. 24 at Edmonds Stadium.
• Meadowdale hosts Everett at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31 at Edmonds Stadium. Lynnwood travels to Sedro Woolley for a 7 p.m. contest.
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