BELLINGHAM – It didn’t take long for Meridian to show it’s dominance. A quick 44-yard touchdown run by junior Kevin Galiano followed up by a botched punt that ended up with senior lineman Adam Kruzich falling on the ball in the end zone, and it just rolled on from there. The Trojans were at top form as they defeated South Whidbey 59-8 in a winner-to-state football game at Civic Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Senior Dawson Logan was extremely sharp as well. He completed 9-of-11 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns. He also led Meridian in rushing with 60 yards on seven carries. He also scored two touchdowns on the ground.
Galiano scored his second touchdown of the game on a 25-yard pass from Logan that Galiano dove for in the end zone, making an extraordinary catch. He led Meridian with receptions in the game. 6-foot-2 190-pound junior tight end Cameron Webster also made some big plays in the passing game, including a 36-yard catch and run for a touchdown.
The Trojan defense was extremely stingy, allowing just 88 total yards for the game, with most of it coming on the final drive against Meridian’s younger players. Junior defensive end Austin Anderson collected two tackles for loss and a quarterback sack. Senior linebacker Dylan Hickok also had multiple tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Senior running back Cole Roberts was back after missing last week’s game against Lynden Christian. He ran for 44 yards and a touchdown, while also playing well at linebacker. Junior backup running back Trent Martin, who has played well on defense this season, scored a 30-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Junior kicker Taylor Snook enjoyed the best kicking game of his high school career my going 8-for-8 on extra points, and he also connected on a 27-yard field goal.
Meridian (7-3) were seeded 4th in the Class 1A State Tournament, and it will face Elma (8-2) this Saturday night at Civic Stadium at 7 PM.
South Whidbey 8
Meridian 59
SW 0 0 0 8 – 8
MER 28 21 3 7 – 59
MER – Galiano 44 run (Snook kick)
MER – Kruzich recovered fumble in the end zone (Snook kick)
MER – Logan 14 run (Snook kick)
MER – Roberts 17 run (Snook kick)
MER – Galiano 25 pass from Logan (Snook kick)
MER – Logan 37 run (Snook kick)
MER – Webster 36 pass from Logan (Snook kick)
MER – Snook 27 FG
MER – Martin 30 run (Snook kick)
SW – 35 yard touchdown pass (2pt good)
SW MER
28-50 Rushing Att-Yards 27-224
6-19-0 Comp-Att-Int 10-12-0
38 Passing yards 186
Individual Leaders
RUSHING –SW: N/A. MER: Logan 7-60, Martin 3-47, Galiano 1-44, Roberts 6-44, Castaneda 4-13, Bouwman 2-8, Hickok 4-8.
PASSING – SW: N/A. MER: Logan 9-11-0-174, Hickok 1-1-0-12.
RECEIVING – SW: N/A. MER: Galiano 4-54, Webster 3-91, Hickok 2-29, Martin 1-12.
