Middle School sports

Published 9:39 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

Feathers fly at `Battle of the birds’

The Chief Kanim Middle School eighth-grade football team

hosted Snoqualmie Middle School at Mount Si High School last

Wednesday evening in the annual “Battle of

the Birds.” The Hawks played the part of a great host, giving the win to the

SMS Eagles 12-0.

The game was a battle right from the start with both teams playing

a tough defense. Finally, in the second quarter, the Eagles’ Brandon

Sales blasted through Chief Kanim’s line for a 63-yard touchdown run. The

extra point failed, making it a 6-0 ball game.

Both aides played outstanding defense. The SMS defensive wall

of Aaron Caldwell, Jacob Wirth, Chris Brown and Sales kept the Hawks

offense down to a minimum. Offensive rushing by Manch Garhart and

Adam Rothgeb kept the ball in the Eagles hands and churned up yardage.

The second touchdown of the game came late in the fourth

quarter when SMS quarterback Alex Grazda found Zach Bowen in the end zone

on a pass. Again the extra point attempt was thwarted for a 12-0 lead.

Chief Kanim also had a fourth-quarter drive but it was finally

stopped on a fourth-and-short play.

The Hawks again tried to drive, but were stopped as the time ran

out. Leaders on defense for the Hawks were Jake Pearce with 11 tackles,

Zach Elmer with 10, Logan McMackin nine, Nick Bennett eight and

Taylor Forbes and Erik Tierney had six apiece. The Hawks finished the

season at 1-5.

Players awarded on the SMS team are: Brandon Sales, Most

Inspirational Player of the Year; Aaron Chadwell, Defensive Player of the Year;

Manch Garhart,Offensive Player of the Year; and Johnathon Mason, Most

Improved Player of the Year. Coaches awards were earned by Adam Rothgeb

and Chip DeLurme, for their inspiring play on and off the field.

The Chief Kanim coaches are very proud of the “never give up” effort

of the team. There will be a team banquet on Friday, after school, in

the Media Center.