Davenport defeats Northwest Christian and gets to try it again next week

It was billed as Northwest Christian’s Homecoming Game and it was played Friday night at Roos Field on the Eastern Washington University campus.

So with all that hoopla coming in, Davenport knew it needed to stay focused and play its game without getting caught up in it all.

But by the time it was all said and done, Davenport (7-2 Northeast B) turned the game into its own homecoming. Of sorts.

By dispatching the Crusaders (5-4) 41-27, the Gorillas assured themselves of a home game to start the State 2B playoffs next week.

“We get to be at home, but I think we have to play Northwest Christian again,” running back Justin Regan said. “I think that was the deal: we beat them once; we have to play them twice.”

The Gorillas wasted little time taking control of the game.

Alex Plasensia took the opening kick at the 7-yard line and worked his way to midfield, giving Davenport a first down at its own 48. Ten plays later, the Gorillas were in the end zone on a keeper by quarterback Jaden Flett.

“I have a lot of confidence in my quarterback,” Davenport coach Justin Young said. “He knows our offense and I trust him to audible at the line of scrimmage. He does a good job getting the ball where it needs to go.”

Northwest Christian’s Silas Perreiah kept the Crusaders within striking distance.

The junior broke through the line of scrimmage on the second play of the third quarter and raced 56 yards into the end zone to tie the game at 6.

But the Gorillas took control from there. Running out of a tight, Wing-T formation, Davenport used the speedy Plasensia to attack the corners and a punishing Regan to attack between the tackles – with an offensive line that was quick off the ball with guards out ahead of the running back on nearly every play.

“Our O-Line are our unsung heroes,” Regan said. “They work heard and they deserve a lot of credit.”

With the line clearing the road, the Gorillas drove 80 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the second quarter. With Flett clearing out a safety on the corner, Plasensia scampered 21 yards for the score with 9:11 left in the half.

Plasensia scored again from the 10 with :31 left in the half to make it 20-6 at intermission.

Northwest Christian didn’t let any time pass in the second half, scoring on the second play from scrimmage in third quarter. Perreiah bounced outside and raced 59 yards for a touchdown to cut the Davenport lead to seven points.

Plasensia struck again on the next drive, making it 28-13 midway through the period.

And then it was Perreiah again, this time racing 60 yards for the score to make it 28-19.

Northwest Christian got within seven points in the fourth quarter, but Flett scored on a keeper to push the lead to the final margin.

“He (Perreiah) is the best running back we’ve faced all year,” Regan said. “One guy can’t bring him down. You have to gang tackle him if you’re going to stop him, and even then he will make plays.”

Plasensia finished with four touchdowns to lead the Davenport offense.

“I have to give Northwest Christian a lot of credit,” Young said. “We run kind of a strange offense that most people haven’t seen, and they did a nice job defending us. They have some great playmakers over there and some well-coached athletes.”