Chewelah Sees Playoffs Through Fog

Northeast A League

Lakeside has been the second-best team in the Northeast A League the past two years.

Imagine what that says about league-mate Chewelah, which has outscored the Eagles 63-0 the last two years.

Fifth-ranked Chewelah (7-0, 5-0) solidified its playoff hopes Friday with a 21-0 win at foggy, cold Lakeside (4-3, 4-1).

The fact that the score was just half as bad as last year’s 42-0 thumping didn’t make Lakeside feel any better.

“Basically, we just got controlled, especially on the line,” said Eagles coach Glen Payne.

The slippery field and Chewelah’s omnipresent defense played havoc with Lakeside’s offensive speed. The Eagles didn’t have a rushing first down until midway through the fourth quarter; Chewelah had five rushing first downs on its first five carries.

“Our No. 1 defense has given up just 15 points all year,” said second-year coach Roy Albertson, 18-1 at Chewelah. “Lakeside has great speed and good backs who have been players in this league for three years.”

Chewelah scored on its first two possessions, then turned to its defense to preserve the win. The teams combined for six interceptions and 10 fumbles - three lost by Chewelah.

The Cougars went to their passing game to open the second half. Dan Macrae’s three long passes - two to 6-foot-5 tight end Josh Parrish to set up a 22-yard touchdown to Chris Eggleston.

Heavy fog rolled in with 5 minutes left in the third quarter, turning the rest of the game into a blur for many fans.

Chewelah’s defense made it a blur for Lakeside for 32 minutes. Lakeside had just 83 total yards, 44 on the ground.

“We always set a goal of less than 100 yards rushing and 100 yards passing,” said Chewelah defensive end Randy Vining. “I think we made it.”

The Cougars marched 59 yards on their opening possession, capped by Luke Sheppard’s 21-yard TD. Their second time with the ball, starting at their 48, produced eight consecutive runs. Cody Katzer’s 22-yard score made it 14-0 with barely 9 minutes gone.

Katzer finished with 101 yards on 22 carries, but just 25 after halftime.

“We got to 14-0 so quickly that we kind of lost our intensity a bit,” Albertson said.

Colfax 45, Kettle Falls 14

Colfax’s Bulldogs (5-2, 4-1) rushed for 156 yards in the first half to roll to a 45-0 lead and cruised over the visiting Bulldogs (0-7, 0-5).

Colfax could still gain a playoff berth by beating Chewelah on Nov. 8.

Medical Lake 42, Newport 7

Aaron Carr rushed for 112 yards on 11 carries and Jason Delp passed for 54 and rushed for 45 as the Cardinals (4-3, 3-2) beat the visiting Grizzlies (1-6, 1-4) to keep alive their playoff hopes.

ML’s Nic Alexander had two catches for 90 yards. The Cardinals play host to Lakeside on Friday.

Freeman 34, Deer Park 9

Brandon Miller rushed for 218 yards on 12 carries as the visiting Scotties (2-5, 2-3) eliminated the Stags (1-6, 1-4) from playoff contention.

Freeman’s Matt Smith was 4 of 6 for 86 yards. Roy Wortman of DP had 19 carries for 81 yards.

, DataTimes