LC, Ferris have eyes on title

The game figures to emphasize two ground-pounding football offenses when Lewis and Clark and Edmonds-Woodway meet in the State 4A football semifinals.

But don’t discount the quarterbacks, including Tigers’ “point guard” Taylor Eglet. The second-year starting junior has just gotten warmed up this post-season.

Eglet could be key when the Tigers travel to Tacoma for Saturday’s 8 p.m. nightcap against the Warriors. Their game begins approximately four hours after Ferris completes the other state semifinal game against last year’s second-place finisher Bothell, in Joe Albi Stadium.

While Edmonds-Woodway relies heavily on running back Tony Heard – “He has Earl Campbell-like quads and just keeps going,” said LC coach Tom Yearout. “He’s a lot like (ex-Central Valley star) Tyree Clowe.” – quarterback Kyle McCartney is just as impressive.

“He’s really fast and every time the team is in trouble makes a huge throw or run to give them a lift,” said Yearout.

Likewise, Eglet is vital to the Tigers. Taking what defenses give in their efforts to stop bullish LC tailback Alex Shaw, he has completed 27 of 32 passes for three touchdowns, with but one interception in two state playoff wins.

“He’s a point guard who likes to distribute the ball,” said Yearout. “He takes that same mentality into football.”

LC saw that capability when he became the starting quarterback as a sophomore, Yearout said. Eglet sees the field well, understands defenses and has been given the latitude to change plays at the line of scrimmage.

“He worked hard in the off-season to improve his footwork and arm strength,” said the coach. “And he’s take a junior to senior step with the playoffs.”

Including three postseason games, Eglet is 109 for 181 (60 percent accuracy) for 1,321 yards.

With only four teams per classification remaining this time of year anything can and usually does happen. The Tigers like their chances.

“We’re playing our best football at this time of year and don’t want it to end,” said Eglet. “I’m not ready to see the seniors go yet.”

Ferris-Bothell: In some ways the two unbeaten teams are similar. Both have scant weakness and are quick enough to make it difficult to exploit any one thing – unlike last week when the Saxons knew they could attack Graham-Kapowsin through the air.

“I expect it to be a close game,” said Saxons coach Jim Sharkey. “We have to be sound in what we do and take what they give us.”

Bothell’s defense has been a source of pride, allowing around a touchdown a game this year. But the Saxons are no slouch either and both teams have nearly identical offensive scoring numbers.

And both have that “what, me worry?” ability to weather adversity.

Sharkey counted 18 different formations used by the Cougars in games he scouted.

“They try to create mismatches and play very quick,” he said. “The kids have to recognize and make quick adjustments. Having experience, they’ve faced almost every type of offense.”

The team that minimizes mistakes, he said, will have the advantage.