REDMOND – When Cedar Park Christian junior running back Zach Wilkins scored on an 85-yard touchdown run (his third touchdown of the game) with less than two minutes to go, the outlook seemed bleak for the Borderites. But the boys in orange and black were determined. Down 23-20, Blaine was able to drive down the field with precision.
On first down from their own 38-yard line, sophomore quarterback William McKinney was forced out of the pocket, but directed senior wide receiver Derek Machula away from his defender and found him for a 10-yard gain. Blaine’s running play was stopped at the line of scrimmage, but on 2nd down and 10, senior running back Danyil Tkachov broke up the middle for a 26-yard gain before being tackled at the 28-yard line.
On the following play, McKinney rolled to his right and noticed that senior wide receiver Chase Abshere’s post route enabled him to get past the defense. McKinney unleashed his pass just in time before getting plowed by a blitzing linebacker, and it was a perfect strike to find Abshere for the game winning touchdown, as the Bprderites won 27-23.
Even though Cedar Park Christian outgained Blaine by 120 yards (347 to 227), it was timely turnovers and a pair of field goals by senior Bryce Kamrath that proved to be the difference.
Following Kamrath’s 32-yard field goal in third quarter, Borderite sophomore Seth Blomeen was able to pounce on the loose ball that was fumbled on the ensuing kickoff.
Tkachov also forced a timely fumble in the fourth quarter that Machula recovered on the Eagle 32-yard line, which set up Kamrath’s second field goal of the game.
Blaine junior Oscar Caridad led the team with 98 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, and McKinney completed 10-of-17 passes for 120 yards. Both of Caridad’s touchdowns were caused by huge blocks from junior offensive tackle Wyatt Cole.
The Borderites (2-0) will host Lynden Christian (2-0) this Friday night in an evening that you won’t want to miss as Blaine will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of its 1978 State Championship team, as well as retire Curt Kramme’s jersey. Kramme was a senior and the starting quarterback and safety of that team.
Blaine 27
Cedar Park Christian 23
BLA 0 7 10 10 – 27
CPC 0 10 0 13 – 23
CPC – Wilkins 48 run (Thomas kick)
BLA – Caridad 2 run (Kamrath kick)
CPC – Thomas 26 FG
BLA – Kamrath 32 FG
BLA – Caridad 19 run (Kamrath kick)
BLA – Kamrath 30 FG
CPC – Wilkins 71 run (Thomas kick)
CPC – Wilkins 85 run (kick failed)
BLA – Abshere 28 pass from McKinney (Kamrath kick)
BLA CPC
31-107 Rushing Att-Yards 42-347
10-17-0 Comp-Att-Int 0-1-0
120 Passing yards 0
Individual Leaders
RUSHING – BLA: Caridad 19-98, Tkachov 6-41, McKinney 6-(-32). CPC: N/A.
PASSING – BLA: McKinney 10-17-0-120. CPC: N/A.
RECEIVING – BLA: Abshere 4-51, Machula 4-51, Reid 1-11, Schroeder 1-7. CPC: N/A.
