<< Previous   of   Next >> Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Lakewood's Andrew Campbell (3) is tackled by Archbishop Murphy defenders Alex McClure (49) and Matt Huggins (83) during a Cascade Conference football game Oct. 10 at Terry Ennis Stadium in Everett. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Archbishop Murphy's running back Kelso Wilkins (5) celebrates a touchdown by teammate JD Melton (7) during the first quarter.

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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE David Pan, Sports editor entsports@heraldnet.com Tony Dondero, Asst. Sports editor entsports@heraldnet.com

Archbishop Murphy blasts Lakewood

By David Pan
Enterprise Sports editor

A fired-up Archbishop Murphy football team gave first-year coach Dave Ward the best homecoming present he could have imagined.

The Wildcats scored 41 points en route to an overwhelming 68-35 victory over Lakewood in a Cascade Conference game Oct. 10 at Terry Ennis Stadium.

Ward has never had a team that scored that many points in the first quarter.

"Every drive was pretty quick," Ward said. "We punched it in. We mixed it up a little bit, got a couple of turnovers and one interception for a touchdown. It was a long quarter with all those points.

"I think everyone was pretty focused and excited about the game and wanted to play well."

With the exception of an away game at Coupeville, the Wildcats have pounced on their opponent early en route to a 6-0 overall record (3-0 in the league).

"The first half has been good to us," Ward said. "I think our pregame and our preparation before the game is well organized and it is important to us to be really mentally prepared and I think that it showed."

Randy Gordon scored on runs of 17 and 4 yards, while teammate C.J. Milburn had a 2-yard run for a touchdown.

J.D. Melton caught a 26-yard pass from quarterback Austin VanderWel. Alex McClure scored on an 8-yard run and Jake Downs had a 5-yard touchdown run.

The goal coming into Friday night's game was to focus on the run game and the Wildcats' Wing-T formation.

It was successful.

"We wanted to work the ball inside and out in the run game and set up some play action and quick passes," Ward said. "Then in the second quarter we started to spread the ball around. We went shotgun and that worked pretty well. We did run the ball even out of the spread set. We were working on our blocking. We need to get better finishing our blocks and sticking with our defenders."

Ward started pulling his starters at the end of the first quarter and then inserted some of them back in the third quarter for a series or two before clearing the bench.

In the second quarter, Alex Martinez scored on a 1-yard run and Caleb Smith added a 9-yard touchdown run.

Melton returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown, the second straight week he's put up points on the defensive side of the ball.

The capper of the night was when Jake Clark returned the kickoff 77 yards for a score as time expired.

"The defense was real tough against the run," Ward said. "We gave up a couple of long passes so we'll work a little bit on our secondary responsibilities. … The defense, I don't think they were totally happy. Even when we go with our No. 2 players they want to be able to shut down another team."

Lakewood quarterback Justin Lane completed 26 of 43 passes for a school-record 325 yards. He threw four touchdowns and was picked off three times. His favorite target was Jordan Stauffer, who caught 12 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns. The Cougars fell to 1-3 and 1-5.

It's important for Ward to try and get playing time for the reserves rather than trying to get a shutout.

"It was a good game for us," Ward said. "The Lakewood quarterback was good. It was good for us to see someone who can throw the ball well. It helps us to see what we need to work on."

The Wildcats face their toughest test in terms of league opponents this week when they go on the road to take on Cedarcrest at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17.

The Red Wolves have good size, have a big running back and also can throw the ball, Ward said.

"We're going to have our hands full going on the road and playing at their place," he said. "They're in the playoff hunt for league and they'll be ready for us."

Wildcats coast to win

•Archbishop Murphy scored 41 points in the first quarter en route to a 68-35 victory over Lakewood in a Cascade Conference game Oct. 10 at Terry Ennis Stadium.
•Senior J.D. Melton caught a 26-yard touchdown pass and returned an interception 25 yards for a score.
•Archbishop Murphy takes on Cedarcrest at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17 at Cedarcrest High School.