Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Working livestock in the morning at the Palouse Empire Fair switched to working the line of scrimmage in a big opening game for the Garfield/Palouse football team, which beat Sunnyside Christian, 30-20, at Palouse Friday, Sept. 7.
Sunnyside Christian, the state 1B runner-up last year, led 12-8 at halftime before Gar/Pal took the lead on an 8-yard run by Ely Hawkins early in the fourth quarter. Tanner Anderson later blocked a Sunnyside Christian punt and recovered it in the endzone for 24-12, after the two-point conversion.
Hawkins, the kicker too, then kicked off to the Knights' one-yard line, the returner misplayed the ball and Gar/Pal's Ethan Hawkins forced a fumble that the Vikings recovered.
Ely Hawkins, a senior, then ran the ball in for another touchdown to put them up 30-12.
Sunnyside Christian responded with a 51-yard pass play for a touchdown, cutting it to 30-20 after the two-point conversion.
As the clock wound down, the Knights again threatened, driving to the Gar/Pal two-yard line before the Vikings stopped them on downs – Kaden Sanderson intercepted a pass in the end zone on fourth down as the clock ran out.
“It was pretty exciting there for a little bit,” said Garfield/Palouse coach Garrett Parrish, in his first game as a head football coach at any level.
In the end, Gar/Pal won despite being outgained on offense by more than 300 yards.
“A lot of things bounced our way,” Parrish said. “Our defense and special teams won the game.”
One example was Austin Jones at punter, who averaged 40 yards per kick and put two inside the Sunnyside Christian five yard-line.
For the Vikings offense, Ely Hawkins had 15 carries for 74 yards while Sanderson ran 17 times for 66 yards. On defense, Sanderson, at middle linebacker, had 18 tackles and an interception. Tyson White added six tackles.
Earlier in the game, senior defensive back Jacob Reed injured his shoulder on defense – while forcing a fumble – and Parrish shifted his lineup to move Ely Hawkins from tight end to fullback.
Clayton Clarkson came in at guard and Anderson moved to tight end.
It is not known yet if Reed will play this week.
Gar/Pal, now 2-0 after a forfeit by Touchet a week earlier, will play next at St. John/Endicott/LaCrosse (0-2) Friday at 7 p.m. (St. John).
Colton 64, St. John/Endicott/LaCrosse 6
The Wildcats went to St. John Sept. 7 and quarterback Parker Druffel brought more than 500 yards of offense to help take out the Eagles.
Druffel threw 13-for-15 for 355 yards and five touchdowns. He rushed for 10 times for 194 yards and three more touchdowns.
Colton (1-1) got on the board first with Luke Vining, another senior, scored on a 65-yard interception return to begin a 42-point first quarter for the Wildcats.
Vining also caught nine passes on offense for 202 yards while Reece Chadwick had two catches for 90 yards. Chris Wolf added two receptions for 63 yards.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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