Liberty playoff bound; Hazen looks to ’09
November 4, 2008
By Jim Feehan
-
Isaiah Fullerton-Talley (20), Hazen sophomore defensive back, gets a facemask grab in the second quarter from Liberty senior running back Joseph Yea, in their Oct. 10 football game. Photo by Greg Farrar
Six weeks ago, Hazen was atop the Seamount League standings with a perfect 3-0 record, while Liberty was unbeaten in KingCo 3A action with only a nonconference loss to Woodinville.
Hazen’s hopes for top-tier status in the Seamount League were dashed after the Highlanders suffered consecutive losses to Renton, Lindbergh, Liberty, Mount Rainier and Kennedy. The Mount Rainier loss dropped Hazen to fifth in the standings, with only four teams advancing to the playoffs.
“We controlled our own destiny going into the Mount Rainier game and let it slip through our hands with four fumbles in the fourth quarter,” said Hazen Coach Scott Leick. “It is too bad that we have struggled so much over the past four weeks. They are a great group of kids that have not quite been able to reach their full potential.”
Hazen is assured of another victory from Tyee forfeiting its Oct. 30 game with the Highlanders. Tyee forfeited the game after the suspension of 20 players involving a mid-game brawl among players in the Oct. 17 Renton-Tyee game. The Totems have only six eligible players after the suspension. Hazen closes its season Nov. 7 with a consolation game with either Sumner or Bonney Lake, of the South Puget Sound League.
Meanwhile, Liberty is 6-2 overall and 4-1 in league action after losing to top-ranked Bellevue 24-7 Oct. 24.
Liberty was to close its regular season at home Halloween night against Mount Si. (That game was after the News’ deadline.) The top three teams in the KingCo 3A advance to the playoff round.
Senior running back Greg Ericksen rushed for three touchdowns in leading the Patriots to a 40-12 homecoming win against Interlake Oct. 17. John Kirksey scored the first two touchdowns for the Patriots, and defensive end Eric Etter and middle linebacker Alec Ernst sacked the Interlake quarterback on critical fourth-down attempts late in the game.
Liberty coach Steve Valach said he was pleased with his team’s effort, especially in the second half.
“Consistency is the big thing for us,” he said.
Hazen’s playoff chances were dashed Oct. 17 in its 32-28 loss to Mount Rainier.
Hazen junior running back James Holland scored on touchdown runs of 18 yards and 69 yards, and sophomore quarterback Travis Johnson connected with sophomore wide receiver Tyler Searles on a 22-yard touchdown pass as the Highlanders built up a 28-13 halftime lead. Mount Rainier scored 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
“We played a solid first half of football. We only had one major let down and that was when they scored just before the half ended,” Leick said. “After halftime, we were unable to regain any momentum.”
In the Oct. 10 showdown between Newcastle’s two high schools, Liberty shutout Hazen 65-0.
Sophomore Marcel Bell returned the opening kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown as the Patriots cruised to an easy nonconference win against the Highlanders.
Ericksen turned in another stellar performance, scoring on two touchdown runs, and senior wide receiver Richard Crespo caught two touchdown passes from sophomore quarterback Trey Wheeler. In all, 11 players took turns carrying the ball for Liberty, as Valach substituted freely in the fourth quarter.
“I don’t have any satisfaction that it’s 65-0,” he said after the game. “Offensively, the longer we played, the better we got.”
Hazen fumbled two kickoff returns in the first half and Highlander sophomore quarterback Travis Johnson threw two interceptions.
“Liberty took the wind out of our sail on the opening kickoff return for a touchdown,” Leick said. “We were unable to recover from that physically and emotionally. We turned the ball over several times and were not able to make it a competitive game.”
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
