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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Mead beats Ferris 45-7 for first GSL 4A win

The ever-evolving Mead football team took another key stride in a must-win game Thursday.

The Panthers chalked up their first Greater Spokane League 4A victory, pulling away from the Ferris Saxons 45-7 at Albi Stadium.

Mead improved to 4-3 overall, 1-2 in league. Ferris fell to 2-5, 1-2.

The Panthers showed much growth a week after losing to Mt. Spokane 30-14.

Ferris pulled within 17-7 when running back Jonny Via scored on a 3-yard run with 4:29 to go in the third quarter. Via carried nine times on the drive, including eight straight attempts.

The game quickly got out of hand thereafter, though.

Mead quarterback Thomas Dammarell, after pitching to a receiver, sneaked out as a receiver and caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from receiver Dedrick Pakootas, pushing the Panthers’ lead to 24-7.

That lead held going into the fourth quarter.

Mead scored three more TDs in the fourth.

The Panthers’ other quarterback, Payton Loucks, completed 9 of 18 attempts for 221 yards and four TDs. Running back EJ Bade rushed for 90 on 17 carries and caught three passes for 82 yards and two TDs.

After a quarter of counter-punching each other and playing to a 0-0 stalemate, things loosened up in the second – at least for the Panthers.

It appeared Ferris was going to get into the end zone first, though. The Saxons got to Mead’s 26-yard line but the drive stalled when they lost 13 yards on a lateral.

Mead took over at the Saxons 39. On the second play, Loucks had a nice play-action fake before hitting Lucas Bacon in the seam for a 59-yard TD. The Saxons defense bit hard on the fake, allowing Bacon an open path to the end zone.

On the Panthers’ next possession, Loucks and Bade hooked up on a screen pass, and the speedy Bade did the rest, sprinting 59 yards to put Mead ahead 14-0 with 3:34 before halftime.

A poor Ferris rugby-style punt hit a Saxon in the back, setting Mead up at the Ferris 27.

Mead used a 37-yard field goal from Conaire Shaffer for a 17-0 lead with 1:04 to go to halftime.

Via led Ferris with 132 yards on 27 carries.

Mead goes to University next Friday while Ferris entertains Central Valley in a single game Thursday.