G-Prep defense shuts down Lewis and Clark
On a night when the Gonzaga Prep Bullpups honored Steve Gleason with a fundraiser, the team’s play on the field was reminiscent of the Prep alum.
Led by Evan Weaver, the team’s defensive lineman who is committed to Cal, G-Prep’s swarming defense held the Lewis and Clark Tigers to just seven points in a 34-7 victory.
The win assured G-Prep of the top seed in the Greater Spokane League 4A side and keeps its undefeated season going at 8-0. With the loss, the Tigers fell to 4-4 overall and 1-3 in league play.
“There was a lot of emotion,” G-Prep head coach Dave McKenna said. “They really wanted to play and inspire Steve Gleason tonight and I think they did a great job of that.”
The Bullpup defensive linemen and linebackers harassed LC quarterback Jordan Summers all night long. Summers rarely had time to sit in the pocket and received his fair share of abuse at the hands of the G-Prep defense.
“We pride ourselves on running to the football,” McKenna said. “They played team defense, they trusted the calls and great things happened.”
G-Prep didn’t wait to get going. Sam Lockett took the opening kickoff 88 yards to give the Bullpups a 7-0 lead before the offense even stepped foot on the field.
Once it did get on the field, the G-Prep offense stalled on a few drives before seeing the end zone again, when quarterback Liam Bell ran in from one yard out in the second quarter.
Sophomore wide receiver Devin Culp hauled in 57-yard pass from Bell before halftime, giving G-Prep a 20-0 lead heading into the break.
The Bullpup defense made it easy on the offense in the second half after blocking an LC punt and starting on the 8-yard line. Four plays later, Weaver punched it in from one yard out, increasing the team’s lead, but not without some sacrifice.
One play prior, Bell needed to be tended to on the field by the medical staff. He walked off on his own power but did not re-enter the game.
“He’ll be alright,” McKenna said after the game. “We have a phenomenal medical staff so we’ll see.”
LC finally got on the board when Summers ran in from five yards out. That touchdown came after an impressive 45-yard reception from Leo Haghighi.
A J.D. Gruber 7-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter cemented the victory for the Bullpups.
While the win keeps the team undefeated and clinches the top spot in the GSL, McKenna says his team isn’t looking too far down the road.
“We’ll just keep our focus,” he said. “Our kids have bought into that.”