EVERETT – The Storm looked extremely balanced in their 35-3 conference victory over the Wildcats on Friday night.
Sophomore speedster Marcus Nixon took the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, and that set the tone.
Archbishop Murphy was able to put together a long drive immediately after, but had to settle for a 26-yard field goal. That would be the only points for the Wildcats.
Junior quarterback Josh Leonard went on the attack from there, completing 10 passes for 155 yards and a pair of touchdowns. One came on a 42-yard strike to senior wide receiver Jacob Sorenson, and the other was an 18-yard pass to Joaquin Ortiz-McAlister who made one of the best catches of the season.
Ortiz-McAlister, just a sophomore, had a breakout performance with five receptions for 74 yards. Sorenson caught three passes for 72 yards.
Nixon had another huge game on the ground, this time totaling 106 yards on 23 carries, including a touchdown. Junior running back Deandre Dunmore rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown on just six attempts.
Dunmore also had another big night defensively with two tackles for loss and a safety. Senior safety Nick Watt once again led his team in tackles with nine, and senior defensive lineman Dante Jimenez added two sacks, one of which he forced a fumble and recovered it.
Sorenson and senior safety Jacob Donnelly each had an interception as well.
The Storm (2-2) will continue conference play on Friday when they travel to Burlington-Edison (2-2) to take on the Tigers at 7:00.
Squalicum 35 Archbishop Murphy 3 SQU 7 14 7 7 - 35 ATM 3 0 0 0 - 3 SQU - Nixon 85 kickoff return (Sonnon kick) ATM - 26 yard field goal SQU - Sorenson 42 pass from Leonard (Sonnon kick) SQU - Nixon 2 run (Sonnon kick) SQU - Dunmore 11 run (Sonnon kick) SQU - Ortiz-McAlister 18 pass from Leonard (Sonnon kick) SQU ATM 34-148 Rush Att-Yards 29-27 11-22-1 Comp-Att-Int 10-23-2 165 Passing Yards 114 Individual Leaders RUSHING - SQU: Nixon 23-106, Dunmore 6-45, Smith 4-1, Lamm 1-(-4). ATM: N/A. PASSING - SQU: Leonard 10-21-1-155, Lamm 1-1-0-10. ATM: N/A. RECEIVING - SQU: Ortiz-McAlister 5-74, Sorenson 3-72, Nixon 1-13, Heaton 1-6, Donnelly 1-0. ATM: N/A.
