A quirk in the schedule created a perfect situation for La Center on Friday.
In the original schedule, the Wildcats were slated to play Seton Catholic on Friday in a Trico League game.
But then the Cougars opted for an independent schedule this season, so La Center had to look for a non-league opponent.
Meanwhile, up in the 2A Northwest Conference, Burlington-Edision was scheduled to play Sehome of Bellingham, until the Mariners opted for an independent schedule.
So, Sehome ended up coming to Vancouver on Saturday to play Seton Catholic (the Mariners won 41-13, snapping a 23-game losing streak), while La Center made the trip north to face Burlington-Edison on Friday night.
“We treated it like a playoff road game,” La Center coach John Lambert said. “We got on the bus, made the long trip and played a good team on the road. And it turned out great for us.”
La Center beat Burlington-Edison 48-20, piling up more than 500 yards of offense that included 321 yards rushing by Wyatt Dodson.
“We were missing some guys early in the year, and it was hurting us,” Lambert said. “Now we’ve got everyone where we want them to be and playing well.”
Despite reaching the 1A state semifinals last year, La Center’s losses to Hockinson and Woodland have allowed the Wildcats (5-2) to keep a low profile.
“We’ve kind of flown under the radar this year after we had some fingers in the dike earlier this season,” Lambert said. “And that’s OK.”
100 memories
Swarmed around congratulatory smiles and hugs from players, fellow coaches and fans, Skyview coach Steve Kizer reflected on a career milestone Thursday.
Kizer won his 100th high school game when his Storm beat Battle Ground, 48-13.
Kizer, Skyview’s third head coach in school history, said it was a big moment for the program and not just himself.
“I’m happy for the staff and for the hundreds of kids who came through the program,” he said.
Then, he joked, “When it first started, it didn’t look like I’d live long enough (to see No. 100).
“It took a while to get going.”
He’s right. Skyview went a combined 6-14 in Kizer’s first two seasons in 2004 and ’05, then won 11 games his third season in 2006 to reach the 4A state quarterfinals.
Mental letdowns
Just because coaches love to have something to nitpick following even from the most dominating of performances …
Hudson’s Bay coach Ray Lions knew immediately what he’d harp upon in practice this week after the Eagles’ 48-0 thrashing of Mark Morris at Kiggins Bowl.
“Penalties,” Lions said after his Eagles committed 11 for 105 yards, including three that wiped out touchdown plays. “Most were mental breakdowns. I liked the effort, but sometimes you need to know when a block isn’t necessary. You’re out of the play, there’s no need to do certain things.”
Otherwise, there was plenty to like from Bay’s victory heading into its annual Peace Pipe showdown with Fort Vancouver. The Eagles have shut out the Trappers each of the last two years, but otherwise, you have to go back to Oct. 25, 2002, to find Bay’s last shutout victory — 40-0 over Prairie.
Six-foot, 300-pound senior tackle Angel Terry dominated the line of scrimmage with two tackles for loss and a sack. Terrence Niles had 11/2 sacks, Toa Kaumatule made five tackles (two for loss), and the Eagles forced three turnovers to go with four sacks and nine negative plays in all.
“We talk every game about playing disciplined defense and doing our jobs,” Lions said. “We did that tonight, and it shows with the zero on the scoreboard.”
Falcons fight on
Prairie lost its starting quarterback and were routed in a league game, but the Falcons are determined to prove they are not down and out.
Jayson Maddux left the game on the first drive with a broken collar bone in three places, which ends his season. The Falcon junior has thrown for 1,147 yards and has had outings of 396 and 302 yards passing.
For the seniors, the loss of both the game and Maddux was especially tough. Senior Aaron Brumley passionately urged the team not to give up.
“We just need to play with heart,” We have four starters out. That can’t put us down. It’s the next man up. We gotta step up. Know your assignment.”
That “next man up” mentality will be especially called upon going forward.
The next man up at quarterback is Logan Reed, a 6-foot-4, 197-pound senior, took over last night and will start for the Falcons’ final two regular season games against Mountain View (3-0) and Fort Vancouver (0-3).
“We’re going to need some sophomores and juniors to step up and show us what you can do now,” Prairie coach Kevin Baker said.
