<< Previous   of   Next >> Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Meadowdale's Riley Neff-Warner (left) tackles Renton's P.J. Benedictus, preventing him from reaching the end zone on a fourth-down play during the second quarter of their varsity football game Nov. 7 at Edmonds District Stadium. Meadowdale received possession of the ball after the play and went on to win the game 45-20. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Meadowdale's Naji Moore-Taylor (1) scores the first touchdown over Renton's Marque' Fluker (20) during the first quarter. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Meadowdale's Danny McDonald (10) evades Renton defenders as he runs with ball for a first down during the second quarter. Protecting him is Meadowdale's Jordan Henricksen (19). Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Meadowdale's Naji Moore-Taylor (1) scores the first touchdown during the first quarter. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Meadowdale's Danny McDonald (10) is tackled by a Renton defender but gains a first down during the second quarter. Also pictured is Renton's Terrance Walker (38). Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Meadowdale's Connor Hamlett (84) catches a pass before scoring a touchdown in front of Renton defenders to expand Meadowdale's lead 24-0 during the first quarter. The Renton defenders are John L. Williams (2) and Marcus Clinton (14). Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Meadowdale's Sam Werner (4) dives for, and barely reaches, the end zone to score a touchdown as he is tackled by Renton's Justin Bennett (9) during the first quarter. The touchdown expanded Meadowdale's lead to 13-0. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Meadowdale's Danny McDonald (10) passes to a teammate over Renton defenders for a gain of nine yards during the first quarter.

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

Mavs build early lead en route to easy win

By Rich Myhre
For The Enterprise

EDMONDS

Meadowdale rolled to a 24-0 halftime lead and then traded touchdowns with Renton through the second half on the way to a 45-20 3A quad-district football victory Nov. 7 at Edmonds Stadium.

Against Renton, which represents the Seamount League, unbeaten Meadowdale dominated in the first half with its offense, defense and special teams.

Offensively, the Mavericks scored on four of their first five possessions and moved the ball effectively in the opening two periods. The defense chipped in with three turnovers while keeping Renton off the scoreboard. And placekicker Sam Werner did his part for the special teams with a 47-yard field goal that would have been good from beyond 50.

Playing with a big lead in the second half, Meadowdale was sometimes careless on defense, allowing the visiting Indians several long offensive gains. But the final outcome was never in doubt, as the Mavericks prevailed for their 10th victory without a loss this season.

“We played good, especially in the first half,” said Meadowdale head coach Mark Stewart. “We were able to move the ball down the field and score.

“There are always some things we can improve on and we had a couple of guys go out (with injuries),” he went on, “but I think they'll be better by next week. But for the most part, we were able to get the ball in the end zone and score. We ran the ball well and we were also able to throw it.”

Renton's three second-half touchdowns were a concern, Stewart said, but credit should probably go to the Indians.

“These teams in the playoffs are pretty good, so they're not just going to lay down for you,” he said. “And they've got some pretty good-sized kids and some good athletes, and they kind of got some things going.”

Saturday's start was an improvement from last week, when the Mavericks were sluggish for most of the first three quarters against Everett and trailed 14-0 before rallying for a 17-14 victory in the closing seconds.

“It's a step forward from last week,” Stewart agreed. “Now, we're in the first round of the playoffs, and we just have to keep moving forward and keep getting better.”

Meadowdale had several standouts, but no one did more than senior quarterback Danny McDonald, who completed 17 of 24 passing attempts for 237 yards and four touchdowns. He also carried 10 times for 64 yards — and he lost 15 yards of rushing on one play due to a poor center snap.

Wide receiver Connor Hamlett had touchdown catches of 21 and 17 yards, and on the first he used his 6-foot-7 frame to go high into the air and tip the ball to himself over the undersized defensive back.

Running back Naji Moore-Taylor picked up 144 yards on 22 carries with one touchdown. And Meadowdale's offensive line opened nice holes for the running backs while giving McDonald time to spot his receivers.

Meadowdale will host another game at Edmonds Stadium at 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, facing Columbia River.

Stewart was momentarily a participant in the game when he was involved in a sideline collision late in the third quarter. Moore-Taylor carried for a 10-yard gain to the Meadowdale sideline, and a Renton player gave him a shove — Moore-Taylor was already out of bounds, so the play drew a personal foul penalty — that sent the Mavericks' ball-carrier barreling into his coach.

The collision sent Stewart, a former University of Washington All-American linebacker and later an NFL player, tumbling to the ground.

“That was a pretty good hit,”' he said later with a smile. “I'm happy I got up. I don't feel it now, but I'll probably feel it in the morning.”