Eastlake squeaks out 17-14 win against Skyview in Quarterfinal Matchup
The Skyview Storm showed up ready for battle on Saturday, Nov. 18, and brought the pressure from the opening series of downs, scoring on their first possession for an early 7-0 lead against the Eastlake Wolves. Unable to answer, the Wolves kicked possession back to the Storm only to be slapped back with a second touchdown in the remaining minutes of the first quarter. As time ran out, the Wolves found themselves behind 14-0.
Knowing they would need to regroup to stay in the fight, the Wolves began to settle in and apply some strategy. As a result, they managed to add to the board early in the quarter to close the deficit, 14-7. From there, the back-and-forth stalemate continued, put off by penalties and blunders for both teams. A late-in-the-quarter interception by Wolves wide receiver Trevor Galvin prevented the Storm from adding to the board for Skyview.
The third quarter played like the first half, riddled with penalties and mistakes including a Wolves fumble recovered by the visitors. Not to be dissuaded by the loss of possession, the Wolves held the Storm to four quick downs before taking the ball back and inching their way downfield for a Landon Renfroe rushing touchdown to tie the game, 14-14.
The win came down to the final quarter and it was anybody’s game. The Storm had possession to open the last 12 minutes and did not waste time moving toward the goal line. Just when it looked as though they would punch into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown, Wolves free safety Kade Haroldsen delivered a momentum-changing interception for his team.
With six first downs on their next possession, the Wolves clawed their way into field goal range. Unable to cross into the end zone, they brought out their consistent, reliable kicker, Alex Dreher, who sent the ball through the uprights for a 17-14 lead– their first of the night and the points needed for the win.
With 2:31 remaining in the game, the Storm still had time to reverse their point deficit. Advancing on a series of downs toward the Eastlake goal line, the Wolves managed to stop the Storm with another well-timed, lucky interception in the end zone to give control back to Eastlake with seconds on the clock.
Taking a knee on the final downs, the Wolves ran down the clock and delivered a close, nail-biting victory.
Exceptional defense from Haroldsen, Kai Brown, Jack Edmunds, Colby Johnson, and Jack Beardall throughout the match kept the pressure on the Storm, while Grady Woodward, RJ Abedi, Renfroe, and Deher delivered the points for a late-in-the-game victory.
Eastlake will face Graham Kapowsin at Art Crate Field in Spanaway on Nov. 25 at 1:00 p.m. The winner of that game will go on to play for the state title on Dec. 2 at Husky Stadium at 7:00 p.m.
