Mountain View inches closer to 3A GSHL crown, tops Evergreen 55-14

What is Mountain View’s preparation going into its showdown with undefeated Kelso next week for the 3A Greater St. Helens League title?

The same preparation that’s led the Thunder to a 6-1 record, a top-5 Class 3A Associated Press ranking, and now winners of six straight games after Thursday’s home win over Evergreen.

“It’s going to be the same thing every week,” said junior tight end Dominic Stephens, who had two catches Thursday for 47 yards from backup quarterback Kury Santiago. “We prepare the same for everybody. Even if it’s Kelso or Union, we don’t change anything, and we get after it.”

Thursday’s 55-14 victory over the Plainsmen at McKenzie Stadium likely sets the Thunder (6-1, 3-0) up with Kelso with the league title at stake for the third straight season.

Next week, though, is a step up in preparation. No social media, coach Adam Mathieson told his players postgame.

“We don’t want anymore targets on our back than we already have,” senior Justin Lufkin-Quant said.

Last season, Mountain View edged Kelso in overtime at McKenzie Stadium on its way to completing its undefeated league season and reaching the first round of the  3A state playoffs.

The Thunder know all too well to expect perhaps its toughest test since its season-opening loss to 4A Union against a Kelso (6-0) team that’s averaging 40 points per game and hasn’t allowed more than 18 points in a single game.

The winner of next Friday’s game at Kelso’s newly turfed Schroeder Field also receives the league’s top seed and a home game to open the playoffs.

Thursday, Mountain View scored on a 29-yard touchdown reception by Makai Anderson from Garrett Moen on its first play. By halftime, the Thunder led 42-7, scoring touchdowns on its first six drives from Moen (25-yard run), Jack Mertens (runs of 25 and 26 yards), and Philip Earnhardt (60-yard pass) and Michael Bolds (6-yard pass).

Mertens, one of eight Thunder ball carriers on the night, finished with a game-high 130 yards on nine carries and three touchdowns. His 35-yard run to open the second-half scoring put the Thunder’s lead at 48-7 with 10 minutes, 11 seconds left in the third quarter.

Moen threw three touchdown passes in addition to his rushing score.

Lufkin-Quant believes he and the Thunder are “living a dynasty.” Thursday’s win is now 13 straight 3A GSHL wins. A win next week plus a victory over Fort Vancouver (0-6) to conclude the regular season would complete a third straight unbeaten league season for Mountain View.

Despite losing two straight, Evergreen (3-4, 1-2) is still alive for a playoff spot. The Plainsmen can secure the final berth with wins over Hudson’s Bay and Prairie the next two weeks. Bay and Prairie play Friday.

A loss in either contest increases the likelihood of a three-team tie with Hudson’s Bay and Prairie to settle third place and the final playoff berth. Winning a three-team tiebreaker is how the Plainsmen reached the postseason in 2016.

Eli Vaa-Leiataua had both of Evergreen’s touchdowns. Zyell Griffin finished with four catches for 91 yards.

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MOUNTAIN VIEW 55. EVERGREEN 14

M. View 14 28 7 7 – 55

Evergreen 0 7 0 7 – 14

First quarter

MV — Makai Anderson 29 pass from Garrett Moen (Jude Mullette kick)

MV — Moen 25 run (Mullette kick)

Second quarter

MV — Jack Mertens 26 run (Mullette kick)

E — Eli Vaa-Leiataua 4 run (Eli Del-Angel kick)

MV — Mertens 25 run (Mullette kick)

MV — Philip Earnhardt 60 pass from Moen (Mullette kick)

MV — Michael Bolds 6 pass from Moen (Mullette kick)

Third quarter

MV — Mertens 35 run (kick blocked)

Fourth quarter

MV — Malikiah Batties 6 run (Mullette kick)

E — Vaa-Leiataua 5 run (Del-Angel kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Evergreen: Eli Vaa-Leiataua 17-76, Ryan Blaize 1-(minus-2), Zyell Griffin 3-12, Cam Smith 1-3; Mountain View: Jack Mertens 9-130, Garrett Moen 7-92, Bobby Shepard 1-8, Colton Drake 1-(minus-1), Xavier Mayo 1-17, Alec Cann 5-20, Malikiah Batties 5-26, Juan Jimenez 1-(minus-4).

PASSING — Evergreen: Ryan Blaize 14-20-2-186; Mountain View: Garrett Moen 7-11-0-181, Kury Santiago 2-2-0-47

RECEIVING — Vaa-Leiataua 2-6, Jaylen Fite 1-20, Tae Marks 3-18, Zyell Griffin 4-91, Eli Vaa-Leiataua 1-7, Isaijah Griggs 3-51; Mountain View: Philip Earnhardt 4-125, Michael Bolds 2-37, Dominic Stephens 2-47, Makai Anderson 1-29.