EVERETT – The Trojans did a little bit of everything, but just couldn’t come up with the big play when it was needed, and ultimately fell to Kamiak 35-34 at Frank Goddard Stadium on Friday night.
The Knights scored a touchdown on their first play from scrimmage on a flea-flicker pass that covered 57 yards.
Meridian was turned away on fourth down after getting past midfield on its first possession, but was able to make a huge play moments later when the Kamiak quarterback fumbled the snap from center, and senior defensive end Lincoln Hoefer grabbed the ball and sprinted 35 yards for a touchdown. Landen Downey’s extra point made it 7-7.
The Knights looked sharp on the next drive, needing just five plays to move the length of the field, and a 34-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline made it 14-7 Kamiak.
The Trojans answered back with a run-heavy drive that ate up clock, and once they moved past midfield senior quarterback Jaeger Fyfe found freshman wide receiver River Todd on a slick out-and-up pattern that covered 46 yards and a touchdown.
A penalty on the extra point moved the ball a yard and a half closer to the goal line, and Meridian elected to go for two. The run was stuffed, and Kamiak held a slight 14-13 advantage.
The Knights put together another strong drive, and scored a touchdown from nine yards out, and at this point it looked like whichever team reached 60 points first would win. Kamiak led 21-13 after one quarter.
The Trojans drove past midfield, but turned it over on downs, and the Knights quickly took advantage by completing a deep pass down the field to an open receiver, who then fumbled the ball inside the 10-yard line, was able to recover it in the end zone for a score. Just like that Kamiak was up 28-13.
Meridian was forced to punt on its next drive, but one the next play from scrimmage Kamiak ran the ball through the middle before he was met with a solid hit from senior linebacker Kelley Gray who knocked the ball loose, and it was recovered by Downey.
The Trojans moved the ball downfield, but stalled at the Knight 37-yard line, and was looking at a 4th-and-10. Meridian then called its patented double-pass play, which worked to perfection, as sophomore Trey Alexander took a backwards pass, and then rifled the ball downfield to Todd who scored his second touchdown of the game.
Kamiak threatened on its final possession of the first half, but a deep pass on 4th down was knocked down by Fyfe, and the Knights led 28-20 at the half.
An interception by Kamiak began the third quarter of play, but the Trojans were able to quickly get the ball back when they turned the Knights over on downs.
Meridian then put together a 10-play 60-yard drive that ended with a 9-yard touchdown run by Downey. The Trojans then went for two, and a quick-out pattern ran by sophomore Pierce Brzozowski allowed him to get open for a free moment where Fyfe found him in the end zone for the conversion. It was now tied at 28-28.
Kamiak kept the ball on the ground on its next drive, and eventually scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to take the 7-point lead.
Meridian then followed suit and put together a time-consuming drive that featured strong runs between the tackles by Downey and Gray. Gray was able to run off right tackle from a yard out to find the end zone, and the Trojans elected to go for another two-point conversion and the lead.
Fyfe was pressured immediately on the play, was brought down for a loss, and Meridian was now looking at a one-point deficit.
The Trojans received new life when Gray sacked the Kamiak quarterback on third down, which forced the Knights to punt. However, the Meridian drive stalled after getting past midfield when some desperation deep balls fell short to end the game.
The Trojans (2-1) will travel to Forks (1-2) on Friday to take on the Spartans at 7:00.
Kamiak 35 Meridian 34 MER 13 7 8 6 - 34 KAM 21 7 7 0 - 35 KAM - 57 yard touchdown pass (kick good) MER - Hoefer 35 fumble return (Downey kick) KAM - 34 yard touchdown pass (kick good) MER - Todd 46 pass from Fyfe (run failed) KAM - 9 yard touchdown pass (kick good) KAM - Ball recovered in end zone (kick good) MER - Todd 37 pass from Alexander (Downey kick) MER - Downey 9 run (Brzozowski pass from Fyfe) KAM - 5 yard touchdown run (kick good) MER - Gray 1 run (run failed) MER KAM 49-132 Rush Att-Yards 27-107 13-26-1 Comp-Att-Int 7-13-0 187 Passing Yards 220 Individual Leaders RUSHING - MER: Gray 19-90, Downey 19-74, Todd 1-(-5), Alexander 1-(-6), Fyfe 9-(21). KAM: N/A. PASSING - MER: Fyfe 12-24-1-150, Alexander 1-2-0-37. KAM: N/A. RECEIVING - MER: Todd 4-96, Larsen 3-28, Brzozowski 2-12, Alexander 1-33, Hedahl 1-14, Brennan 1-3, Downey 1-1. KAM: N/A.
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