Bonney Lake’s Second Half Surge Prevails Over Decatur

varsity-football-live-webarticle2

Thursday Oct. 10 2013 3A Boys Football
Federal Way Memorial Stadium 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Bonney Lake 0 7 31 0 38
Decatur 13 0 0 6 19

See game recap below
 


Bonney Lake’s Second Half Surge Prevails Over Decatur
By Steven Dion

Momentum is a powerful force that can build quickly in sports; the visiting Bonney Lake Panthers proved this to be true Thursday night at Federal Way Memorial Stadium against the Fighting Gators of Decatur. The home team got on the scoreboard early with a 69 yard strike from one Isaiah to another: Hatch to Diggs. The junior quarterback looked comfortable in the pocket early and was able to make big plays through scrambling. Hatch found Josiah Goulding for another first quarter score. The second quarter featured a spectacular interception by BL’s Dillon Jordan and a touchdown for the Panthers. Isaiah Weed connected with Jordan from 23 yards out. First half field possession was controlled by Decatur and they appeared to be poised for a win and 24 minutes away from doing so.

Panther head coach Jason Silbaugh must have had a scintillating halftime speech because his Bonney Lake team came out swinging in the second half. The opening kickoff in the third was returned 85 yards for a touchdown by Robert Combs. Just over a minute later, Combs found the end zone on a 59 yard bubble screen pass by Weed. The Panther defensive unit responded to the offensive surge by shutting down the Gator attack. Their front seven contained nicely by eliminating big gains by Diggs. Cameron Goenner of the Panthers even blocked two punts, one for a safety. Bonney Lake scored 31 unanswered points in the third quarter! The fourth quarter was rather uneventful, as the game had gotten away from Decatur. A bright spot for the Gators was a 60 yard run by Diggs for the score with 4 seconds remaining. Football typically requires a full four quarters to win, but for the Panthers tonight, they captured lighting in a bottle in one.

Top Performers:
Bonney Lake
Robert Combs 4 TDs (85 yard KO return, 59 yard reception, 6 yard reception, 10 yard run)

Decatur
Isaiah Diggs 2 TDs (69 yard reception, 60 yard run)

Roller Coaster in Renton

varsity-football-live-webarticle2

Friday Sept. 13 2013 3A-2A Boys Football
Renton 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Decatur 0 12 6 14 32
Renton 0 0 21 7 28

See game recap below
 


Roller Coaster in Renton
By Steven Dion

A sunny September evening at Renton Memorial Stadium hosted a gridiron shootout between two non-conference teams in Decatur and Renton. This contest was a tale of two halves until a late momentum swing decided the victor. The first quarter got off to a slow start as the only scoring threat was thwarted immediately as a 60-yard pass to Decatur’s Isaiah Diggs was fumbled at the 5 yard line. Indians linebacker DaSsaun Sauls ripped the ball loose before the Gator speedster was able to bust into the end zone. But, Decatur could only keep Diggs off the scoreboard for so long as he recorded two scores in the second frame. Both extra points were blocked by Renton special teams, so the Gators took a 12-0 lead into the locker room.

Decatur picked up where they left off in the second half by feeding Diggs until he slashed his way into the end zone for the third time. The shifty runner recorded 24 carries for 145 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns in addition to 8 receptions for 213 yards with a receiving score. He picked up loads of yards after contact and the game appeared to be over when the Gators took an 18-0 lead in the third. But after failing to convert on a fake punt, Renton got on the scoreboard from an Ernie Davis touchdown. Then another. Then another. Then another. That’s right, four unanswered scores by Davis to give Renton a 28-18 lead late in the fourth quarter. Somehow, Decatur put together a touchdown drive to put them within 4 after a failed 2-point conversion. On the ensuing kickoff with 1:33 remaining, Diggs recovered the onside kick for Decatur. The first Gator play from scrimmage was a touchdown pass from near midfield to Diggs which deflated the Indians. An interception on a last-chance drive by Renton sealed the deal and finally ended this see-saw ride. Despite the loss, Ernie Davis shined in this contest scoring four touchdowns and nearly willing his team to an improbable comeback.

Top Performers:
Decatur
Isaiah Diggs – 24 carries 145 yards, 8 receptions 213 yards, 5TD
Isaiah Hatch – 12/18 274 yards TD

Renton
Ernie Davis – 4TD