Wildcat gridders notch second win

Published 10:08 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

Touting the slogan “two and two after four,” the Mount Si Wildcat

football team, ended their fourth regular season game on a high note,

trouncing the Liberty Patriots, 22-7, in front of the hometown crowd.

But the win at home wasn’t without its share of scary moments, as

the `Cats committed seven turnovers in the second half. Had it not been for

the gutsy play of several Mount Si defenders such as Dan Thompson and

Jeremy Johanson, the Patriots would likely have made it a much

closer game. It was also a homecoming of sorts for Mount Si’s Thomas

Mosby who had coached the Patriots through last season, still holding many

emotional ties to the team.

From the opening kickoff, it was apparent that Liberty would

have trouble starting the run. Mike Dollinter would be the workhorse of this

game on the ground, supported by the lead blocking of veteran full back,

David Cole. Mount Si received the ball to start the game, but their first

series sputtered when a fumble allowed Liberty to recover with 8:43 left in the

first quarter.

Penalties and key pass coverage by Jeff Stone thwarted Libety’s first

offensive drive, forcing a punt of their own. Stone fielded the punt at the

50 and ran it back to the Liberty 26 to give the `Cats excellent field

position with 7:22 left in the first quarter.

Leading the charge on the next offensive drive for Mount Si was

quarterback Thompson. A combination of head-on running by Dollinter and

a keeper by Thompson moved the ball to the Liberty 8-yard line. But the

Patriot defense dug in causing an illegal motion penalty on the `Cats and

forcing a missed pass. Thanks to the foot of Brett Bergstrom, Mount Si

would get points on the board first, with a 22-yard field goal, making the

score 3-0.

After a lackluster series by Liberty, Mount Si would score again. This

time on a 3-yard keeper by Thompson with 9:15 left in the second. But a

failed point attempt held the score at 9-0. Dollinter again was the

ground-game workhorse for the drive, moving the ball upfield behind Cole’s

blocking. Two quarterback keepers by Thompson added to the yardage since

the Liberty defense didn’t know if he would pass or run.

Again the Liberty offense sputtered, this time forcing a costly

punt. The Wildcat’s Stone fielded the Patriot punt at the 50-yard line, and, with

6:44 left in the half, ran it all the way for a touchdown. The extra point

attempt failed again, leaving the odd score of 15-0. But the scoring frenzy

wasn’t over. On the ensuing kick off, the ball squirts loose from the Liberty

returner and Mount Si recovers on the Patriot 33.

Behind the passing Thompson and the running of Cole, Dollinter

and Austin Bachelder, the `Cats would score again, on a Dollinter carry

from 4-yards out. Bergstrom added the extra point, and with 4:44 left in the

second quarter, the Wildcats had a commanding 22-0 lead.

The Patriots had one more shot before the half, but sacks by

Johanson and Dylan Seubert assured the 22- point lead going into the locker room.

The second half wasn’t as impressive offensively for the Wildcats.

Intercepted passes, fumbles in scoring territory and penalties, all played

a part. Luckily for the offense, the defense was ready for the challenge.

On the Patriots’ first possession, a key hit by Johanson caused a fumble

which the tough Wildcat quickly recovered. Another fumble by Liberty

mid-way through the third stopped another drive.

It wasn’t until late in the third quarter that Liberty finally got on

the scoreboard. A catch in the corner of the end zone gave the Patriots

six points, and with the field goal, they were within striking distance at 22-7.

They would have one more chance for a score on a field-goal attempt,

but the kick fell short at the end of the third quarter.

Fumbles and interceptions dominated the fourth quarter with

neither team gaining substantial yardage. The Wildcat defense held their ground,

icing any hopes for the Patriots. The win by Mount Si leaves them with a

record of two wins and two losses. Liberty moves to one win, three losses.

After the game, coaches and players rushed to coach Mosby. “I left

a good group of kids,” said Mosby. “We were a real close-knit group so I

have some real mixed emotions about this game. I love those guys and

obviously we have a great relationship. I still keep in touch with many of them.

I’m just glad we came out on the winning end of it, but I still feel for them.”

“I would say surviving a seven- turnover game makes me happy,”

said coach Charlie Kinnune. “We jumped on them early enough and

often enough to demoralize them and they didn’t rally. We had six turnovers

in the second half, and I don’t know of anyone who has survived seven

turnovers, and won. I think the performance of our special teams is a

highlight. Jeff Stone is a dangerous kick returner as was Tyler Osborn

last week.

“That takes the pressure off our offense, it shortens the field for our

offense. Our defense has come to play the last two weeks out. We have

improved.

“Dan Thompson was certainly a threat at quarterback, Jon

Odom wasn’t feeling well, so he was spent. He wasn’t ready to play.

“We needed to go with Dan and he certainly turned a lot of plays

into significant gains. We plan running plays where he rolls out, looking

to pass but keeps the ball.

“To prepare for Sammamish and Bellevue we need to improve our

tackling, run defense, discipline, staying home and pursuit angles.

“Offensively, if we return the ball well, it shortens the field for our

offense, and we need to take what the defense has given us. We have

neglected that as a young club, and that takes patience.”