I was sitting in the Thurston 'Adult' section instead of my usual sideline position shooting photos. I was hearing lots of comments about how BIG the Dalles-Wahtonka line was during warm ups. My only thoughts were, "It's all over for The Dalles-Wahtonka". There's a huge difference between BIG and big and cut. When I see a BIG team on the field getting ready to play Thurston, Marist or Sheldon I know it's going to be a lightning strike for the Colts/Spartan/Irish linemen.
Next week will be a different story as Hillsboro, one of the four elite teams in 5A comes to The Farm. There's only one team at 4A, Marist, which has all of the elements needed to dominate. Unfortunately for the Colts, the 5A and 6A divisions each have four teams that can dominate. Thurston is one of those four teams at the 5A level, and the Colts will have to beat the other three, back to back to back to win state. But let's celebrate the win over The Dalles-Wahtonka.
The day long downpour continued up until the teams left the field after warmups. The game started without rain, but about half of the game was played in a downpour, about a quarter in a drizzle and about a quarter without rain.
Thurston received the opening kick off and came out up tempo and scripted. Bam. Pass to Loos for 12 yards. Bam. Livingston for for a 27 yard run to the Eagle 20. Oops... penalty, incomplete, sack, incomplete, missed long field goal.
The Eagles got the ball on their own 20 and started a five minute, 10 play drive to the Colt endzone. Two pass interference penalties by some anxious Colts helped the Eagles get into scoring position. Unfortunately for the Eagles, the endzone visit was by a wide receiver who slipped and fell down and a waiting Jordan Demoss picked it off for the Colts. A penalty on Demoss's long return put the Colts back on their own 4 yard line.
Starting their drive with 5:47 left in the first quarter, the Colt line tore through the Eagles which allowed Michael Livingston put on a show, which he would continue all night. Livingston eventually scored on a 30 yard run with 3:33 left in the first. Colts 7-0.
The Eagles fumbled the kickoff and Thurston took over on the 27. After a screen pass to Livingston, Tyler Johnson was given a little action and scored on an 8 yard run. Colts 14-0 with 2:27 left in the first.
Two minutes later the Eagles punted and the Colts took over on the 49. Johnon and Livingston took turns carrying the ball, with Johnson running it in from the two. Colts 21-0 with 10:05 left in the second quarter.
The Dalles-Wahtonka started at their 44 and put together a nice drive in a fresh squall, but Thurston's Tanner Rhodes picked off the Eagles. This drive looked a little more like the well balanced Colt offense. A little Livingston, Johnson, Hendrickson running, and Loos, Wright and Livingston receiving. Johnson gets the honors with his third TD of the night with 57 seconds left. Colts 28-0.
Other than the first drive by the Eagles, which was aided by two PI calls, the Eagles completely stalled out in the first half. The usual scene was of a Colt or maybe two Colts blowing through the Eagle O line and scrunching the 10 yard per carry Ray Niko before he could get past the line of scrimmage. ( I do think Niko was hurt by field conditions, but even a dry field wasn't going to give him the game the Eagles needed)
2nd Half
The Eagles received and two series later the Colts had the ball at their own 39. 57 seconds later Andrew Woody took a pass with one hand and lallygagged to the end zone for a 57 yard TD. Colts 35-0.
By now, the roof had caved in on the Eagles. 13 seconds later, Thurston's Livingston scored from 10 yards out after a fumble recovery on the kickoff. Colts 42-0
The Colts finally fumbled and the Eagles Niko gets a rushing TD. The reserves come in and finish the game. Stefan Drake gets a 2 yard TD to make the final 49-7.
Overview
It was great to see the Colts come out up tempo, no hesitation. Good to see Woody in for several plays and a TD reception. Great to see the Colts D line just destroy the Eagles. Great to see some mud football. Two big Colt backs, making one cut, then blasting for big yards on a treacherous field.
Next week it's #4 Thurston vs #1 Hillsboro. I haven't seen Hillsboro, but if the poll voters up north are saying they are better than Sherwood, which I've seen, then the Hillsboro game is going to be a fantastic game to watch.
Send corrections or comments to Gary at mwlnow@yahoo.com or comment by clicking on the 'comment' link below the line underneath this article. (My fingers were frozen at the game and I can't read my notes)
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