EVERETT — The Meadowdale High School football team executed its game plan to perfection in its 35-28 Western Conference South Division victory over Jackson.
“Our game plan was to come out and dominate with the run,” said Mavericks senior running back Eric Rabon, who compiled 142 of Meadowdale’s 340 rushing yards on Jackson’s home field in the Sept. 8 game. “That’s what it’s all about.”
Despite suffering a shoulder injury during the Mavericks’ first drive, senior quarterback Matt Johnson managed 135 yards on 14 carries to help Meadowdale improve to 1-1 in the division after last week’s loss to division-favorite Edmonds-Woodway. Johnson’s third TD run of the game — a 13-yard carry to cap a 5-minute, 29-second drive to open the third quarter — put Meadowdale ahead 35-14.
Jackson quarterback Jake Gelakoska tossed two of his three TD passes in the fourth quarter to give Jackson (0-1, 0-2) hope. But, Jackson’s on-side kick attempt with 1:37 to go did not travel the required 10 yards, and the Mavs ran out the clock.
Gelakoska, who has made a verbal commitment to Oregon State, completed 16 of 25 pass attempts for 300 yards. Gelakoska put three completed passes into the end zone in the fourth quarter, but a holding penalty wiped out one and ultimately killed a drive.
“We felt we could run the ball,” said Meadowdale coach Mark Stewart, whose team ran the ball 54 times and picked up 18 of its 20 first downs on the ground. “And we knew we had to run the ball well to keep Gelakoska off the field.”
Hans Peterson, who contributed a 1-yard TD plunge while the Mavericks outscored the Timberwolves 28-0 during the second and third quarters, added 18 carries and 96 yards to Meadowdale’s ground attack.
“This was a huge win for us,” said Johnson, who winced from pain as trainers worked on his left (non-throwing) shoulder. “We didn’t want to go 0-2. The game plan was to run, and the offensive line did a great job.”
Meadowdale pounded Jackson at will in the first half. The Mavericks carried the ball 26 times for 228 yards in the half thanks to Rabon (85 yards) Johnson (75) and Peterson (65).
Gelakoska passed for 113 yards in the first half — including a 53-yard TD pass to Billy Green to open the scoring — and also intercepted a pass while playing safety in the half. Taylor Cox, a 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore, gave Jackson a 14-7 advantage with an 82-yard TD first-quarter sprint. Cox rushed for a game-high 156 yards on 13 attempts.
The Mavericks’ defense proved stout when needed most. Meadowdale allowed 468 yards, but procured two Jackson turnovers and forced the Timberwolves to come away empty despite a first-and-10 opportunity at Meadowdale’s 12 in the fourth quarter.
Aaron Coe writes for The Herald in Everett.
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