Close Game, Just Not Close Enough!

On September 25, 2015, the Lake City Homecoming Game was close, but still a loss. The Tumwater Thunderbirds (Ranked the No. 1 team in Washington with 4 wins and 0 losses) walked away with a winning score of 35-21.

They scored three touchdowns in their first eleven plays and built a 21-0 lead with eleven minutes and thirty three seconds left in the first half. In comparison, Lake City (1 win to 4 losses) amassed a total of 1 yard in the first eleven plays.

The kick-off was made by the center and kicker, Kobe Murphree, #30, who is roughly 6’1”. The first touchdown made by wide receiver, #13, junior, Jason Pierard. Pierard caught an amazing, 96-yard throw made by Matt Duchow, he then sprinted 18 yards to the end zone, giving the Timberwolves the enthusiasm they need to win. By the end of the second quarter, the score was 21-14 with Tumwater in the lead.

The players ran off the field full of energy and adrenaline, just waiting for halftime to be over so they could get right back on the field.

Lake City’s junior quarterback and safety, Matt Duchow, filled in for injured senior, Collin Hunter. Duchow completed 16 of the 20 passes for 230 yards, made two touchdowns and added 71 yards, making up approximately 93 percent of his team’s offense. He showed speed and elusiveness. “We had a rough time with their Quarterback” said Tumwater’s head coach, Sid Otton “He scampered around and made our team look like we don’t know how to tackle.”   

After an 8 yard punt made by Tumwater, Lake City gained 43 yards within 8 plays. Dakota Kielblock, #20, recovered a fumble from the punt. He then threw it to Matt Duchow. Two plays later, Duchow found space in Tumwater’s defense and released the ball to senior, Austin McMaster for a 37-yard touchdown with 8 minutes and 10 seconds left in the game. Tumwater replied with a 71 yard sprint and a 10 yard, touchdown pass by Spencer Dowers. The pass was caught Cade Otton (grandson of Tumwater’s head football coach).

“We talk about dealing with adversity,” said Lake City’s head coach Van Troxel. “I am very proud of them. We competed against a very good team.”