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Eastlake loses to Issaquah in heartbreaker

October 7, 2009

By Eric Berto

By Eric Berto
The trouble with a must-win game is that only one team can win it.
And it was the Issaquah Eagles that escaped the Oct. 2 game against the Eastlake Wolves with a 14-13 win in a pivotal game in the KingCo Crest league.
“Our kids played with a lot of guts tonight,” said Chris Bennett, Issaquah head coach. “It wasn’t pretty, but a lot of guts from our kids.”
Both teams made their share of mistakes, but none more heartbreaking than when Eastlake junior kicker Devon deAlteris missed an extra point in the fourth quarter.
Eastlake senior running back Cameron Hunt had just given the Wolves the lead after he broke a rush up the right sideline for a 72-yard score. deAlteris missed the extra point, but the Wolves had the lead.
“It’s not just one play that makes the game, but that was a huge play,” said Gene Dales, Eastlake head coach.
Penalties, over-thrown balls and missed opportunities kept the game close after Issaquah took the opening drive 79 yards for the first score. Junior running back Taylor Wyman, who was filling in for injured senior running back Grant Gellatly had racked up 56 yards rushing on the opening drive before powering in for a 2-yard score.
Issaquah had to battle for its points the whole game. Four separate drives took the Eagles deep into the Wolves’ territory, but Issaquah was unable to convert each time.
“They were bringing the house at us,” Bennett said. “We never felt we were out of the game. We had a lot of yards, but not very many points.”
Issaquah’s defense stepped up to keep Eastlake out of the end zone late in the first quarter. Wyman fumbled the ball at his own 23-yard line and the Wolves recovered.
But Eastlake found itself with a fourth-and-goal from the 3 yard line and couldn’t punch it in, turning the ball over on downs.
Eastlake’s first score came in the second quarter. Hunt, who finished with 147 yards on 14 carries, sprinted down the visitor sideline for a quick 57-yard touchdown. After breaking through, Hunt’s speed helped him elude several Issaquah defenders.
Both teams knew the importance of the game well before kickoff. Following Eastlake’s loss to Redmond, this game became a must-win in order to make the playoffs.
“We knew the importance of this game,” Dales said. “I feel bad (for the team) because they gave it all they had.”
Issaquah overcame several costly penalties, including three first-half false starts to keep the game close.
Down 7-13 late in the fourth quarter, Issaquah took over after a short Eastlake punt. Issaquah senior quarterback Ryan Bergman took a sack for a 10-yard loss. Two plays after, he connected with junior wide receiver Evan Peterson on a 14-yard pass to convert what would have been a game-deciding fourth down. Peterson would keep the drive alive a few plays later, drawing a pass interference penalty, then catching a quick 8-yard pass from Bergman to give Issaquah a first and goal.
Wyman then scored on a 2-yard dive to give the Eagles the final lead of the game. He finished the game with 127 yards rushing on 29 carries.
“This was our season. We had to win this game,” Peterson said. “It was absolutely awesome.”
Issaquah improved to 2-0 in league and 3-2 overall with the victory. Issaquah travels to face Redmond (1-1, 1-4) next Friday, Oct. 9.
Meanwhile, Eastlake fell to 0-2 in league and 3-2 overall. Eastlake’s challenges don’t get any easier as it plays host to Skyline (2-0, 4-1) next week.

The trouble with a must-win game is that only one team can win it.

And it was the Issaquah Eagles that escaped the Oct. 2 game against the Eastlake Wolves with a 14-13 win in a pivotal game in the KingCo Crest league.

“Our kids played with a lot of guts tonight,” said Chris Bennett, Issaquah head coach. “It wasn’t pretty, but a lot of guts from our kids.”

Eastlake running back Cameron Hunt breaks away for a touchdown in the second quarter Oct. 2. Photo by Brian Hamilton

Eastlake running back Cameron Hunt breaks away for a touchdown in the second quarter Oct. 2. Photo by Brian Hamilton

Both teams made their share of mistakes, but none more heartbreaking than when Eastlake junior kicker Devon deAlteris missed an extra point in the fourth quarter.

Eastlake senior running back Cameron Hunt had just given the Wolves the lead after he broke a rush up the right sideline for a 72-yard score. deAlteris missed the extra point, but the Wolves had the lead.

“It’s not just one play that makes the game, but that was a huge play,” said Gene Dales, Eastlake head coach.

Penalties, over-thrown balls and missed opportunities kept the game close after Issaquah took the opening drive 79 yards for the first score. Junior running back Taylor Wyman, who was filling in for injured senior running back Grant Gellatly had racked up 56 yards rushing on the opening drive before powering in for a 2-yard score.

Issaquah had to battle for its points the whole game. Four separate drives took the Eagles deep into the Wolves’ territory, but Issaquah was unable to convert each time.

“They were bringing the house at us,” Bennett said. “We never felt we were out of the game. We had a lot of yards, but not very many points.”

Issaquah’s defense stepped up to keep Eastlake out of the end zone late in the first quarter. Wyman fumbled the ball at his own 23-yard line and the Wolves recovered.

But Eastlake found itself with a fourth-and-goal from the 3 yard line and couldn’t punch it in, turning the ball over on downs.

Eastlake’s first score came in the second quarter. Hunt, who finished with 147 yards on 14 carries, sprinted down the visitor sideline for a quick 57-yard touchdown. After breaking through, Hunt’s speed helped him elude several Issaquah defenders.

Both teams knew the importance of the game well before kickoff. Following Eastlake’s loss to Redmond, this game became a must-win in order to make the playoffs.

“We knew the importance of this game,” Dales said. “I feel bad (for the team) because they gave it all they had.”

Issaquah overcame several costly penalties, including three first-half false starts to keep the game close.

Down 7-13 late in the fourth quarter, Issaquah took over after a short Eastlake punt. Issaquah senior quarterback Ryan Bergman took a sack for a 10-yard loss. Two plays after, he connected with junior wide receiver Evan Peterson on a 14-yard pass to convert what would have been a game-deciding fourth down. Peterson would keep the drive alive a few plays later, drawing a pass interference penalty, then catching a quick 8-yard pass from Bergman to give Issaquah a first and goal.

Wyman then scored on a 2-yard dive to give the Eagles the final lead of the game. He finished the game with 127 yards rushing on 29 carries.

“This was our season. We had to win this game,” Peterson said. “It was absolutely awesome.”

Issaquah improved to 2-0 in league and 3-2 overall with the victory. Issaquah travels to face Redmond (1-1, 1-4) next Friday, Oct. 9.

Meanwhile, Eastlake fell to 0-2 in league and 3-2 overall. Eastlake’s challenges don’t get any easier as it plays host to Skyline (2-0, 4-1) next week.

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Written by Eric Berto · Filed Under Sports 

Copyright 2010 by Issaquah Press Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed without permission. E-mail editor@isspress.com

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One Response to “Eastlake loses to Issaquah in heartbreaker”

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