The co-leaders of the KingCo league, Issaquah, likely planned

an easy victory over the 2-5 Mount Si Wildcats Friday night. But never

count a Charlie Kinnune-coached team out of anything, because they will

always put up a fight.

And fight they did, scaring the daylights out of the Indians, 14-6 in

a wild homecoming contest. Regrettably, star running back David Cole

was forced to sit out the game on the Mount Si sidelines with a sore shoulder.

He separated his shoulder in last week’s contest and had continued

playing despite the pain.

The Wildcats received the ball to start the action and immediately

went to work on their ground game. The `Cat’s work horse, Mike Dollinter,

was quickly put into action, as was Austin Bachelder, filling in for the

injured Cole.

A pass by Jon Odom to Dan Thompson moved the ball into

Indian territory. However, the opening drive – while visibly impressive – fell

short. On fourth and nine from the Issaquah 30, Odom looked to the end zone

and Thompson, but the pass missed its mark, giving the ball to the Indians.

Defensively, Mount Si has improved tremendously since the

beginning of the season and Issaquah’s first drive was proof. Notching only

one first down in their initial series, Issaquah threw two incompletions

and was forced to punt. The Wildcats followed a similar fate on their next

drive and were also forced into a punt, from which Issaquah would capitalize.

Starting from their own 27 yard line, the Indians moved the ball

down field. Using a fury of runners off tackle, the Issaquah quarterback did

a remarkable job of hiding the football. With 56 seconds left in the first

quarter, Brandon Stark found a hole and pounded his way to the end zone

for the touchdown. With the extra point the score was 7-0 in favor of Issaquah.

On their next drive, Mount Si put in quarterback Byron Dill to gain

some experience. The drive resulted in a punt but gave the young

quarterback some playing time.

Both teams would trade possession back and fourth through the

rest of the first half. Mount Si showed some great defense and offensive

efforts. Tackles by Brad Connor, Brett Bergstrom and Jason Smith

held Issaquah offensive efforts to little gain. On the offensive side of the

ball, Dollinter continued an aggressive running attack with a few pass

receptions by Steve Botulinski thrown in. The half ended with Issaquah ahead, 7-0.

The second half began with a bang as Homecoming King,

Jeremy Johanson recovered an Issaquah fumble deep in Indian territory.

The fumble recovery set up a series of runs by Dollinter and Bachelder,

with Bachelder finally cracking the end zone at the 8:38 mark of the third

quarter. The extra point kick was blocked, leaving the score at 7-6 in the

Indians favor.

Fumbles plagued Issaquah through the second half. Connor

recovered a fumble on the Indians’ 45, giving the `Cats another shot at the

end zone, but the offense couldn’t muster the necessary yardage.

The Indians, on the other hand, would capitalize on a Wildcat

mistake. A high punt snap on fourth down forced Thompson to run for the

first but he was tackled short. Issaquah’s Carl Sundquist then rambled in

for another touchdown, giving the Indians a 14-6 lead and the game’s

final score.

Mount Si showed one more glimmer, though, as Jeff Stone returned

a punt for a touchdown. Unfortunately it was called back due to a

roughing the kicker call. But the return was a pretty one, as Stone one-handed

several defenders, rolling by tackles left and right.

“Defensively we are getting better, as a whole team, said

coach Kinnune. “It’s just that we are not

able to finish and then not getting any breaks and all the stuff comes with

a young team.

“I am pleased with the effort that our kids gave. They fought all the

way to the end. I want these guys to end the season on a winning note and

feel good about the season,” touted Kinnune