Offensive line flexes muscles
The folks from Katy, Texas couldnbt wait to see what this team from Seattle, Washington had
to offer. After all looking at their stellar resume one would wonder just how good this team is.
The community of Katy made sure the visitors from the northwest enjoyed a warm welcome.
Though only a few hundred fans made the trip from Washington to Katy, Texas.
The State of Texas vs. the State of Washington.
Katy comes in with a 1-1 record, avenging a loss to North Shore 9-7 from last season while
losing to The Woodlands for the second year in as many. Last year 47-0 whopping and 30-
27 this year.
Bellevue comes in at 1-0 after posting a 62-0 victory over Marriot, from Surrey, British
Columbia.
Katy used a smash mouth attack to claw out a victory over the much smaller Bellevue
Wolverines, 35-17 in front of a packed house Saturday night at Rhodes Stadium. Brothers
Vernon Jeffries and Will Jeffery ran behind a huge offensive line all night churning out yards.
With the help of Brandon Price, Carlos Villarreal, Conner Cox, James Mark, Shep Klinke and
Zach Swanson, Katybs offensive line open holes while run blocking the Wolverines up and
down the field. Jeffery the older of the two posed the most damage rushing for more than a
100 yards in the first half before leaving the game early in the third quarter because of a leg
injury. But the younger Jeffries picked up where the older brother left off.
The crowd draped in a sea of red and white, stood to their feet showing their appreciation for
the Tigers.
Bellevue a national power is well known for their vaunted wing-t offense, ending De La Sallebs
twelve year run of undefeated seasons and beating Longbeach Poly, a southern California
power. De La Salle amazed the sports world wining 151 games against no losses over a 12
year period of time, still known as the longest winning streak of any kind in high school
football. The Wolverines hold six of Washingtonbs State Championships, 2001, b02, b03, b04,
b06 and b08 and is the top ranked team in class 3A in Washington and is expected to add yet
another crown this season.
b Ibm pleased that we were able to move the football against them like we were.b b I thought our
kids did a pretty good job of executing but we knew we had to move the ball against them
because their very good offensively as far as executing on their stuff,b said Katybs Head
Coach Joseph.
The bizarre happened on the Wolverines first drive when the special teams lined up for what
was to be a 17 yard field goal attempt, the field goal try was blocked, picked up by a Katy
defender. While returning the ball. He was tackled by one of the Bellevue special teambs
player which forced a fumble and recovered by the Wolverines inside the Tigers ten yard
line. But not being able to cash in at the one yard line proved to be a crucial turnover of
downs. Katybs defensive did a great job of holding the elusive wing-t offense to no points on
the drive. The pressure applied up font from John Sampa, Michael Bray, Travis Burns and
Tyler Adams was the key.
b Well I know I was going to have to come out here and play a pretty good game.b b We worked
hard all week.b b I was supposed to be the guy to make tackles, I did that for the most part
tonight but I let some get by me, that happens sometimes,b said Katybs Defensive back Sam
Holl.
After the Wolverines used up almost 10 minutes of the first quarter the Tigers made the most
of their time taking a 14-10 halftime lead. It took them all but 5:00 minutes to drive 99 yards
for the first score of the game, capped with a six yard touchdown run by Will Jeffery.
The backbone of Bellevue showed on their next drive, a 63 yard drive in 7 plays resulted in a
38 yard quarterback keeper from Joe Joe Conner. Conner was fabulous on the run faking
the handoff up the middle on a dive play, raced around to the right sideline cut back inside
eluding two defenders in route to the end zone to knot the score at 7 with 6:06 to play in the
half.
The Tigers were back for more. This time, a drive that covered 75 yards in 8 plays. Jeffries
went in from the one. The drive was keyed by a 29 yard burst by Will Jeffery and a 22 yard
keeper by quarterback Michael Stojkovic that set them up at the Bellevue 5 yard line.
A 27 yard pass to Sean Coley put the Wolverines in field goal range where Race Sciabica
connected on a beautiful 46 yard field goal that closed out the first half 14-10.
The Tigers came out of halftime red hot just as they were before the half. Vernon Jeffries
returned the kick off 25 yards to the Tigers 26 yard line. Will Jeffery picked up 16 yards on
two carries to give the offense a jump start. Tight end Swanson got in on the action with two
17 yard receptions to help Katy complete a 74 yard 10 play drive with a 3 yard touchdown run
by Jeffries. 21-10.
On Bellevuebs next drive, Kendrick Van Ackeren was stopped short of the first down marker
on a forth down attempt. After yet another stalled drive by the Wolverines, Katy struck again.
The Tigers broke open the forth quarter with a 60 yard punt return from speedster Colt
Atwood. He fielded the ball at the Katy 40 yard line and went untouched down the right
sideline into the end zone, stretching the lead to 28-10.
b They played great, they wore us out.b b Their great team, their size and their speed.b b We
knew they were bigger and faster than us and we got a little fatigue,b said Butch Goncharoff
head Coach of Bellevue.
Bellevue then put together their longest drive of the evening, going 70 yard in 12 plays,
capped by a seven yard touchdown run by David Nguyen. Conner gave fake handoff to
Coley going right and handed the ball to Nguyen going left totally fooling the Tigers Defense.
Jeffries closed out the scoring with a 9 yard run.
