Reporter staff
Kentwood High jumped out to a big lead and never looked back in beating Kent-Meridian 38-7 to clinch the South Puget Sound League Northeast 4A title last Friday night at French Field.
Kalen Swain caught one touchdown pass and later returned an interception 51 yards for another score for the Conquerors (3-0 in the division, 6-1 overall).
Kentwood retains the Claude French Trophy for another year. The Royals last defeated their rivals in 1995.
“It was a big deal, and I hope the city of Kent enjoyed it, and I hope we’ll keep having games like this,” said Kentwood coach Rex Norris.
Norris also noted that he was slightly disappointed that he couldn’t play the Royals at full strength.
Both teams stayed close in rushing yards, with the Conks running for 150 yards and the Royals for 132 yards. The disparity grew in passing, with 160 yards picked up by Kentwood compared to 105 from Kent-Meridian. Brian Campbell threw for all of Kentwood’s passing plays while Isaiah Williams carried the ball for 90 yards.
Despite throwing up a solid defense that included five turnovers, the Royals only managed to pull a single touchdown when Gabe Gallman broke away for a 38-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
The Royals’ offense knew they were in for an uphill battle having lost four starters during the week including tight end Angel Chima and wide receiver Nate Barton. Running back Malik Woolery and wide receiver Emanuel Daigbe were out, too, Woolery for getting into a fight at school and Daigbe with a cracked rib. The Royals lost Gallman in the first half with a sprained ankle.
“I still feel like we had enough athletes to get it done, I just feel like we didn’t come out and play with any fire at the start of the game,” said Royals coach Brett Allen. “I gotta take the blame for that as the coach.”
Nervous energy got into the Royals in the first quarter, which combined with a slippery field and ball led to a lighting fast turnover and recovery from Kentwood for an early field goal.
Sophomore quarterback Ben Woods struggled to find receivers during the game and threw five interceptions.
The Royals dropped to 3-1 in league and 5-2 overall.
Campbell ran for one TD and found Swain for another to lead Kentwood. Williams scooted 32 yards for a TD. Andre Slyter booted field goals from 26, 28 and 38 yards out.
Allen said that the team’s playoff goals were the same as when it started, and he intends on seeing the team to Tacoma.
“It’s a chief lesson that from here on out, we’re gonna play in playoff games or seeding games where the teams are gonna be this good and we can’t wait around to punch,” Allen said. “We’ve been in a lot more adverse situations than we’ve been in tonight.”
Kentwood takes on Kentlake at 7 p.m. Friday at French Field. The Royals travel to Mount Rainier (1-6) for a 7 p.m. Friday game at Highline Stadium in Burien.
Elsewhere:
Jefferson 29, at Kentridge 12: The Chargers dropped to 0-7 on the season with a loss to the Raiders (2-5). Kentridge plays Tahoma (4-3) Thursday.
At Tahoma 49, Kentlake 14: Caleb Brown ran for three TDs and caught a fourth as the Bears beat the Falcons (3-4). Cody Folckner scored on a 55-yard run and Trey Helgeson connected with Matt Burley on a 90-yard scoring play for Kentlake.
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