GNFA QUALIFIER GOES TO SOUTH SOUND

June 23, 2007 Fort Lewis, WA 

The Shockers offense struggled to get on track Saturday, so in the meantime the defense took it upon themselves to give South Sound a comfortable cushion.

High Desert gained 31 yards on the opening kickoff but on 3rd and 10 fumbled the ball away with Shocker tackle Travis Brock recovering at the Shocker 45.  The theme for the night was set as the Shocker defense would force nine turnovers on the evening.

A quick 3-and-out for the Shocker offense sent the ball back to the Lightning on a 46-yard Randy Alderman punt that was downed at the High Desert three yard line.  A pitch out on the very next play intended for RB Kenny Washington hit the turf and was scooped up by Shocker end Martin Darland for six points.  A Pat Hutnik PAT put the Shockers up 7-0.  Three plays later Ryan Kalalau stepped in front of a Lightning receiver for the first of six interceptions on the night.  As Kalalau was being spun to the turf he pitched the pigskin to Alderman who raced 29 yards for another defensive TD.  The PAT made it 14-0 with 11:40 remaining in the first quarter.  High Desert would be picked off by strong safety Eric Goodman on their next possession, it would be the first of Goodman's three picks on the night.  A three and out later saw Alderman chasing down an errant Nate Enciso deep snap resulting in the loss of 12 yards on the punt attempt, however Goodman would step in front of the first down pass for his second INT.  The Shockers back tracked with a holding call and on fourth-and-fifteen Enciso's snap again sailed over Alderman's head this time for a safety.

Just before the quarter ended tailback Corey Laday broke down the Shockers sideline for a 35 yard score and a 21-2 lead, and Jackie Triplett blocked a Lightning punt out of the endzone for a safety and a 23-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second period Pat Hutnik led things off with a 31-yard field goal and with 4:45 remaining in the half, Terrell Smith bulled in from seven yards out to put the Shockers up 33-2.  Smith's touchdown was set up by a Micah Tanaka interception at the Lightning 35.

Another fumble recovered by Brock set up the short field with David Minnis catching a John Stewart swing pass and dashing 16 yards for a touchdown and a 40-2 halftime lead.

The third quarter was more of the Shockers offense sputtering with a fumble, and two consecutive three and outs with a missed FG from 38 yards out mixed in.  Goodman intercepted his 3rd pass of the night midway through the third period.

With 9:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, reserve QB Chris Gore found himself scrambling from Lightning defenders before finding WR Bobby Poeltl behind the defense for a 44-yard TD strike to cap the scoring.

The Shocker defense allowed 109 total yards on the day while still not giving up a score in the last 26 quarters.  The Shockers offense slugged away for 261 yards but lacked a consistent attack against a tough linebacking corps brought up by High Desert.

The Shockers will move on to the GNFA Championship for the Northwest Regional title on Saturday.  The #1 Blue Mountain Stars await the #2 ranked Shockers in a 7 pm battle in Burbank, WA.

GAME TRACKER