Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
vikings football
Garfield/Palouse quarterback Evan Weagraff runs for some of his 260 yards against Pomeroy.
Their best running back from last year injured, Garfield/Palouse may have a stable nonetheless.
Without Cameron Springstead, it's Weagraff, Hawkins and Knauff – the strong, quick quarterback, the lumberman fullback and the darting middleweight.
The three combined, along with sophomore Jacob Reed, to own the ground for the Vikings in a 52-26 league win over Pomeroy Sept. 30.
“We were pretty happy with the way we played,” said coach Will Woltering. “It wasn't lights out, but we played well.”
Weagraff led the offense with 260 yards rushing while Hawkins and Knauff shared most of the rest, Hawkins scoring two touchdowns and Knauff and Reed one each.
Hawkins, a 5'11” 200 lb. sophomore, took a more straight-on approach this week than last.
“I was really happy with the way Eli ran,” said Woltering.
With 9:54 left in the second quarter, Gar/Pal led 24-6 on a long drive of runs by Weagraff and Knauff. Hawkins carried in the two-point conversion.
Gar/Pal threatened again when Weagraff threw to senior tight end Mason Bates, who broke free up the Pomeroy sidelines, two defenders chasing.
They caught him, knocking the ball loose at the four-yard line. The Pirates recovered for a touchback.
Bates slammed his fists in the grass.
“In college and the pros, you can look up at the stadium big screen and see who's coming,” said Woltering. “In high school you can't do that.”
Gar/Pal then recovered a fumble to take over with a first-and-10 on the Vikings' 41-yard-line.
The half ended on an incomplete pass to Bates in the endzone.
Then it was Weagraff-Hawkins to open the second half. A shade of Holbrook-Neibergs at the end of last year's basketball season, this was a productive duo.
Gar/Pal's line opened more holes, and Weagraff cut wide and up the sideline for 68 yards, followed by Hawkins with a 10-yard bang-up for 30-6. He followed that with a blunt force two-point conversion.
Gar/Pal had the game in command when Reed intercepted a Pomeroy pass to set up more Vikings' runs. Knauff, a 5'8” 160-pound junior, cut and ducked his way through the Pirates to put his team again within five yards of the endzone. Reed took it in on a sweep for 38-12 at the end of the third quarter.
Gar/Pal will play next for homecoming against Tekoa/Rosalia Friday in a non-league matchup. Key league games to come include at Touchet Oct. 21 and home against Colton Oct. 28.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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