‘Cats can’t stop Lawson
Published 9:02 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008
The Wildcats’ homecoming was perfect in every way except for one: the Issaquah Indians’ ground game pounded the Mount Si defensive line for a 49-19 victory.
The Indians scored early in the first quarter, only a few plays into the game. After a Wildcat fumble Issaquah found themselves deep in Mount Si territory. On the first play of the possession, Indians’ quarterback Mark Gray found Jordan Handsaker in the end zone for the touchdown. The Phillip Quigley point-after was good making the score 7-0 with 10:50 left in the first quarter.
The Wildcats would go three and out, forcing the punt on fourth down. Issaquah quickly moved into Mount Si territory, but it appeared their drive stalled as Brandon Dollinter tipped a third-down pass for an Indian incompletion. On fourth down from a punt formation, the Indian center snapped the ball to a halfback with the punter faking a hike over his head. The stunt worked as the Wildcats’ defenders froze in their tracks, allowing the halfback to get the first down. Three plays later, the Indians’ Kevin Lawson scampered into the end zone from 15 yards out for another touchdown. With the extra point the score was 14-0 with 7:31 left in the first quarter.
After another Mount Si punt, the Indians appeared to be stalled due to the Wildcat defense. But on fourth down a pass across the middle earned Issaquah the first down deep in Mount Si territory. From 15 yards out, the Indians’ Blair Stern rambled his way into the end zone for another Issaquah touchdown. With the extra point the score was 21-0.
The Wildcats would answer on their next drive. Starting from their own 20, Mount Si moved the ball down the field with carries by Michael Keller and catches by Dollinter. With 11:52 left in the second, on a quick pass from quarterback Alex Smart, Tyler Austin found the end zone 57 yards away to get the Wildcats on the scoreboard. He added the extra point making the score 21-7.
The Wildcats’ defense appeared to step things up a notch as they held the Indians on the next possession. A big tackle of the quarterback by the Wildcats’ Phil Collins put Issaquah at fourth and six, forcing the punt.
The Wildcats’ offense put together another impressive drive on their next possession. Pass receptions by Michael Lindor and running by Keller put the ‘Cats at the Issaquah 25. Austin added his own amazing catch rising above an Issaquah defender with his face mask being pulled to get Mount Si near the Issaquah goal line. After an illegal procedure penalty pushed Mount Si back to the 16-yard line, Keller rambled into the end zone for another touchdown. This time though, Austin’s extra-point kick missed the uprights, making the score 21-13.
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