Rypien, defense lead Shadle past NC
QB throws for six TDs in 49-0 victory
From the get-go, what the Shadle Park football team wanted to do it did Thursday afternoon.
And North Central couldn’t do anything about it.
Highlanders junior quarterback Brett Rypien had another impressive opening half, throwing for five touchdowns, as Shadle Park romped past the Indians 49-0 in a Greater Spokane League game at Joe Albi Stadium.
Shadle improved to 6-1 and NC slipped to 1-6.
Rypien completed 28 of 38 passes for 357 yards in the first two quarters. He finished with six TDs, completing 33 of 44 passes for 430 yards. He left with 8:43 to go in the third quarter when the running-clock rule took effect.
He did do something rare – he threw just his fourth interception on a route where the receiver didn’t turn around. He now has 2,525 yards and 35 touchdowns.
The game marked the return of Shadle junior running back Michael Morris, who sat out the last two games with a concussion. Morris had two receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Morris re-injured an ankle he hurt earlier but otherwise was glad to be back.
“He’s a tough kid and he’s playing through it,” Shadle coach Alan Stanfield said of Morris. “He’s a nice addition to the offense.”
Morris said it was tough to sit out and watch his teammates play.
“Gosh it was awful,” he said. “I love watching my team succeed but you always want to be out there competing.”
Reserve junior George Pilimai had a big game. The 6-foot-6 receiver had three catches for 100 yards and a TD.
“We saw they had some small corners so we knew George was going to play a little bit more,” Stanfield said. “He did what we really knew he could do all season.”
What more could Stanfield say about Rypien that he hasn’t already said.
“He distributed the ball well,” Stanfield said. “We were a little overamped initially and turned the ball over uncharacteristically. Our receivers hadn’t fumbled once all year and we had three in the first quarter.”
It was Shadle’s first shutout in Stanfield’s four seasons.
Shadle visits Central Valley next week.