<< Previous   of   Next >> Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Mountlake Terrace's Casey Ellersick (5) is tackled by Lynnwood's Travin Hookala (13), but gains a first down on the play, during the third quarter of their varsity football game at Edmonds District Stadium. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Mountlake Terrace's Brandyn Eckhart (2) reaches the end zone for a touchdown despite Lynnwood's Connor Brott's (90) tackling efforts during the third quarter. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Mountlake Terrace's Julian Snow (second from left) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown to put Mountlake Terrace ahead of Lynnwood 27-0, before the extra point, during the fourth quarter. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Lynnwood's Typhis Cochran (3) loses footing and goes down for a four-yard loss in front of Mountlake Terrace's Zach Karels (24) during the third quarter. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Lynnwood football players take the field at the end of halftime of their varsity football game at against Mountlake Terrace at Edmonds District Stadium. The players are Stephan Katzenberger (74, from left), Chandler Wilson (68) and Blake Lord (9). Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Mountlake Terrace's football players take the field at the end of halftime of their varsity football game against Lynnwood at Edmonds District Stadium. The players are Mason Potter (53, from right), David Turner (72), Nate Ryals (48) and Toby Toro (44). Mountlake Terrace won the game 28-0.

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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

Hawks blank Royals in season opener

By David Pan
Enterprise Sports editor

Mountlake Terrace's ground game chewed up Lynnwood in the season opener for both teams.

Senior running back Casey Ellersick rushed for 118 yards on 18 carries and scored two touchdowns to help lead the Hawks to a 28-0 victory over the Royals in a non-conference football game Sept. 4 at Edmonds Stadium.

Mountlake Terrace coach Tony Umayam was extremely happy about his team's crisp and clean performance on offense.

“I would say I was most pleased on winning the turnover battle,” he said. “We were able to control the clock and not turn the ball over on offense. ... We didn't have a whole lot of penalties.”

The Hawks offensive line had a significant weight advantage over the Lynnwood defensive front. Mountlake Terrace controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

“We were able to win the battle up front,” Umayam said. “I was pleased with the outcome.”

Lynnwood coach Dorian Manza noted that one of his starting lineman weighed only 165 pounds. Fortunately, the Royals will add a little more bulk to the line when a couple of players become eligible this week.

“We don't have the size up front,” Manza said. “We've got to figure something out. It's been our weakness the last few years. We don't have the horses. Our skill guys are great.”

Lynnwood's offense didn't generate any points but the Royals minimized mistakes.

“We only had one turnover,” Manza said. “We didn't have any mistakes on special teams. ... Our penalties were minimal.”

The Royals didn't provide quarterback Michael Stanley with much protection. The senior quarterback was sacked six times and pressured on the majority of his throws.

Ellersick scored on a pair of 5-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter as the Hawks jumped to a 14-0 lead. Quarterback Brandyn Eckhart added a 4-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and then he connected on a 35-yard touchdown pass to tight end Julian Snow in the fourth quarter.

“Casey ran hard and we had a sophomore fullback Ryan Benham step up and do a nice job leading blocking for him,” Umayam said.

Eckhart finished with 76 yards on 13 carries and completed four of six passes for 85 yards. Running back Max Wicklander rushed for 55 yards on 15 carries.

“We couldn't stop their running attack,” Manza said. “Terrace was more physical up front. That was the difference in the game.”

“We knew that Brandyn was a dual threat,” Umayam said. “He was able to do a decent job of throwing the football. ... We want to make sure we keep a pretty high percentage rate.”

Mountlake Terrace was concerned about controlling Lynnwood running back Typhis Cochran and for the most part the Hawks accomplished their goal.

“He showed when he was given some space he would rush for yards,” Umayam said. “Overall I was pretty pleased with our defense being able to shut down their run game.”

Still the Hawks (1-0) need to have a more polished performance this week when they host Mariner (0-1) at 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11 at Edmonds Stadium.

“There are some glaring things we have to improve upon,” Umayam said. “We have to become more disciplined in executing our assignments on defense.”

While the Mountlake Terrace line had the size advantage against the Royals, it'll be a different scenario against Mariner.

“They handled us pretty well last year (49-13),” Umayam said. “They're big and strong up front. We are going to have our hands full. ... Their big offensive line is going to really pose a challenge. We're going to be the undersized team this week.”

The Royals (0-1) travel to Arlington (0-1) for a 7 p.m. game. The Eagles lost a 52-51 overtime thriller to Glacier Peak, a team ranked in the top 10 in a statewide poll.

The Royals also need to execute their assignments better, Manza said. He saw that the offensive linemen were not staying on their blocks. At times some of the linemen didn't appear to know who they were supposed to be blocking.

Nevertheless, Lynnwood was still upbeat about the season after the loss.

“We have a good crew of guys,” Manza said. “It's a long season. We can only improve.”