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

Xavier Wicks runs Shadle Park past Kennewick into 3A playoffs

At times on Tuesday, Shadle Park was its own worst enemy, committing turnovers and penalties in the red zone. But the Highlanders defense kept them in it and eventually the offense was able to overcome its troubles.

Xavier Wicks rushed 29 times for 204 yards and Shadle Park topped Kennewick 20-7 in the 3A Greater Spokane League/Mid-Columbia Conference play-in game.

The game was still very much in doubt until Shadle took advantage of a poor punt for terrific field position, resulting in Carson Doyle’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Atkins with less than 2 minutes left in the game.

The Highlanders will travel to Seattle’s Memorial Stadium to face 3A Metro Mountain Division third-place O’Dea (7-1, 2-1) in the 3A Week 10 playoffs on Saturday at 3 p.m.

“It’s kind of been like this all season. When we don’t get in our own way with fumbles, turnovers and penalties we’re pretty good offensively,” said Shadle Park coach Jim Mace.

“I’m so happy for this team,” Wicks said. “Everyone’s been working super hard.

The running game really picked up there in the third and fourth quarter,” Wicks added. “That really helped us drive down the field and put up some points.”

After teams traded early punts, Kennewick’s JJ Rodriquez busted a 38-yard carry, then later on a third-and-5, Cedric Riel found the corner for a 16-yard touchdown run and 7-0 lead.

Early in the second, Shadle took over on its 47. A steady diet of Doyle and Wicks runs set the Highlanders up at the Kennewick 6.

Doyle rolled out to his left and found Kyle Cozza in the back of the end zone where he made a leaping catch for a touchdown. The extra point tied it at 7 with just over four minutes left in the half.

Shadle forced a punt and moved it to the Kennewick 32 with less than a minute left. On fourth-and-2, Doyle scrambled right and heaved one into the end zone, where it was intercepted by Tucker Newman and the teams settled for a 7-7 tie at intermission.

Shadle Park received the second-half kickoff and started at its 30. Wicks took a dive for 15 yards, and Doyle hooked up with Xavier Adams for 7 yards and Shadle eventually had third-and-10 from the Kennewick 20.

Doyle looked toward the goal line, but Kennewick’s Riel came down with an interception to stall the Highlanders’ drive.

Kennewick went three-and-out and a short punt gave Shadle the ball back at the Lions’ 34.

“That’s the real story of this game was our … defense. It’s gotten so much better over the last few weeks it’s unbelievable,” Mace said.

On the second play afterward, though, a bad shotgun snap bounced around and Kennewick recovered on its 47.

Kennewick still couldn’t get anything going and punted down to Shadle’s 6. Gains of 29 yards by Wicks on an off-tackle play and Atkins on a catch-and-run moved the Highlanders into Lions territory again and with a first down at the 17.

But a fumble moved them back and on fourth-and-16 at the 23, Doyle tried to find Cozza down the right sideline but overthrew and turned it over on downs.

Riel broke off a 31-yard carry and Kennewick faced fourth-and-3 at Shadle’s 27. The Lions tried a halfback pass but it was broken up in the end zone and the Highlanders took over.

Wicks churned out runs of 16 and 11 yards to move back into Kennewick territory. Doyle kept it 21 yards to the 23, and a bootleg gained another 15 down to the 8.

“I’m going to miss next year when I can’t just say ‘Run the ball with Wicks.’ He’s probably the best player I’ve ever coached, and that’s saying a lot.” Mace said.

Wicks gained 2 to the 6, then Doyle ran a draw after a nice fake and walked into the end zone untouched. The extra point made it 14-7 with 6:16 remaining.

Shadle’s defense came up big again with another three-and-out, and a 7-yard punt gave it back to the Highlanders at the Kennewick 33. Five plays later, Doyle connected with Atkins for the exclamation point on the win.