Tomahawks fall to mighty Issaquah

Three weeks ago, Issaquah ranked highly in every state football poll.

By Danielle Szulczewski • November 11, 2008 1:52 pm
Tomahawk senior Ryan Sterley finds it hard to watch as M-P trails Issaquah. The Tommies were eliminated with a 36-18 loss.
Tomahawk senior Ryan Sterley finds it hard to watch as M-P trails Issaquah. The Tommies were eliminated with a 36-18 loss.

Three weeks ago, Issaquah ranked highly in every state football poll.

Two losses, due to key injuries, caused them to stumble out of the rankings and into the KingCo fourth seed, but restored to health, the team proved as formidable as they had appeared at the season’s start.

This proved unfortunate for the Tomahawk football team, which had earned a perfect record and a home playoff game for their run through Wesco North.

The visiting Eagles of Issaquah lead from their opening drive and never looked back, scoring three touchdowns before M-P could answer. The Eagles went on to win 36-18 and ended the Tomahawks dreams of a state tournament run.

Issaquah exploited the Marysville running game, holding standout running back Austin Denton to 39 yards, well below his season average, and forcing the Tomahawk offense to drive the ball through the air.

Running plays put M-P on the board as senior running back Caleb Posey found the end zone from 33 and 61 yards out, but Issaquah had an answer for every Tomahawk score.

The Eagles were also effective defensively in the red zone, holding off M-P on three drives that could have tied the game.

M-P tried to incorporate a passing game to keep the Issaquah defense honest, but Tomahawk quarterback Devin Peterson had only three successful completions, with the last to senior wide receiver Levi Cartas for a touchdown with just minutes and 18 points to go.