Red Wolves fend off upstart Falcons’ fourth-quarter rally
Published 10:00 am Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Cedarcrest withstood South Whidbey football’s furious fourth-quarter charge for a 22-20 win Friday night.
The Red Wolves (3-2 Cascade Conference, 4-3 overall) held on as the visiting Falcons scored a late touchdown but missed a two-point conversion that would have tied the game. Crucially, Cedarcrest fell on an attempted onside kick by South Whidbey, allowing the Red Wolves to kneel out four downs to victory.
South Whidbey bounced back from a 22-14 deficit in the fourth quarter. Cedarcrest kicker Brandon Mowry missed a field goal, giving South Whidbey the ball inside its own 20-yard line. The Falcons were bailed out of a long-yardage down by a lofty pass from Collins to Patterson along the sideline and across midfield for 40 yards. From there, the Falcons chipped their way with short runs and throws before Collins again found Patterson for a 6-yard touchdown catch.
Collins’ two-point conversion pass was tipped and intercepted, holding South Whidbey to 20 points, trailing Cedarcrest by two.
Despite trailing much of the game, South Whidbey struck first in the league contest. The Falcons marched downfield in the first quarter behind senior running back Deven Damerau. Those runs set up a quick, 5-yard toss from senior quarterback Parker Collins to junior receiver Charlie Patterson. Anthony Eveland booted in the extra point.
Cedarcrest answered with a short field goal, which was followed on its next possession with a two-yard touchdown run.
Leading 10-7, Cedarcrest quarterback Adam Davenport launched a 62-yard bomb to running back Adam Golden, who had slipped out of the backfield. The ball barely fell behind Collins, South Whidbey’s safety, who leaped to tip the ball and missed. Falcon senior lineman Angus Jones blocked the extra-point kick to limit the Red Wolves’ lead at 16-7.
South Whidbey recovered a fumble on the next Cedarcrest drive on the Red Wolves’ 29-yard line. Damerau rumbled for a 12-yard run, then tumbled in a 17-yard touchdown run. Eveland’s kick brought South Whidbey within a score of the lead, 16-14.
Defense played a huge role in holding Cedarcrest to the stalemate just before halftime. Jones sacked Davenport on third down, setting up a fourth-and-long just into South Whidbey territory.
After halftime, Cedarcrest put together a long drive capped by Colson Scott’s 6-yard touchdown run. Damerau blocked the extra point attempt.
South Whidbey hosts third-place Lakewood (4-1 conference, 4-3 overall) on Friday, Oct. 24.
