Eastlake beats Garfield, makes run for playoffs
October 23, 2009
By Christopher Huber
Running back Cam Hunt breaks away for a touchdown in the first quarter Oct. 23
Updated: Oct. 25, 11:59 a.m.
Eastlake’s senior running back Cam Hunt was looking to tack on a load of yardage to the team-leading 680 he’d racked up this season coming into the Oct. 23 match up against Garfield.
The wet weather was not conducive to the passing game, so the team would eat away at the clock and the Bulldog defense on the ground.
Not only did Hunt, the No. 2 rusher in KingCo 4A, make big plays and pile on the yardage as he led Eastlake to a 56-0 victory, but he set a new school record with 212 yards on 17 carries at Eastlake Stadium.
“I feel excellent. I feel very happy with it,” Hunt said after the game. “We just kind of came out to play. We came out (with) what we were talking about all week long and I’m happy to see it come through for us.”
The Wolves improved to 2-3 in KingCo Crest division play and 5-3 overall. Paired with Newport’s 35-6 loss to Issaquah and Redmond’s 42-7 loss to Skyline the same night, Eastlake forced a three-way playoff for third place between themselves, Newport and Redmond.
“It was nice to see our kids play well and play hard,” said Eastlake head coach Gene Dales. “We’re excited because we’ve got some opportunities.”
The Wolves put it away early, scoring three times in the first quarter and leading Garfield 28-0 at the half. Hunt scored on the team’s third play of the game on a 51-yard blast. The next possession, he scored on a 33-yard run.
Hunt had 183 yards on 16 carries in the first half. He finished with four rushing touchdowns and came to within 108 yards of the 1,000yard mark for the season.
“He runs with passion. Man, he runs hard,” Dales said.
Garfield’s offense couldn’t get anything going in the face of the quick and pressing Eastlake defense. The Bulldogs coughed up two fumbles and two interceptions to the Wolves and only made it past mid-field twice.
The first interception came on a Sean Foster pass right to Eastlake linebacker Matt Uhlar in the second quarter. Eastlake junior defensive back Kyle Lappano snatched the ball almost out of the hands of the Garfield receiver and returned the ball 55 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Eastlake rushed for 275 yards total. Quarterback Kelby McCorkle went 4-for-9 passing for 82 yards and one touchdown. Lappano also scored on an 11-yard run in the fourth.
“I think we’ve been through it all, with losing to Skyline, and I think we’re just ready to shock every one, show everyone what we can do,” Hunt said.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
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