4A Playoffs | Cascade dashes F. Way dreams
FEDERAL WAY - The thought of his Cascade High School football career ending didn’t have a nice ring to Lorne Bridgford.
It didn’t matter that seventh-ranked Federal Way stood in his way.
Bridgford, a 6-foot, 185-pound senior, played the game of his life with 244 yards and two touchdowns, including the winner with no time on the clock, on 36 carries as Cascade of Everett shocked the Eagles 27-21 in the preliminary round of the Class 4A state playoffs at Federal Way Stadium.
“We knew they were tough,” Bridgford said. “I figured this could be my last game, so I went out there and tried to help out my team.”
Cascade (7-3) hosts Eastlake (9-1) next weekend in the first round of the 16-team state playoffs. The Eagles (8-2) were denied their first trip to state since 1976 and the disappointment was obvious, with players falling to the turf in disbelief afterward.
Federal Way, fresh off its first championship since 1976 by winning the South Puget Sound League North Division, gave the Bruins three chances to score in the final two seconds with roughing-the-kicker and offsides penalties.
“That roughing-the-kicker call was a gift,” Cascade coach Jake Huizinga said after it looked like the game could head to overtime.
Cascade kicker Camden McDonald missed wide left on a 22-yarder with two seconds showing, but the Eagles were flagged for the roughing penalty. Then, with no time on the clock, McDonald lined up for an 18-yard field goal and the Eagles were called offsides.
That’s when Huizinga rode Bridgford one more time from the 2-yard line. Bridgford danced in over left tackle and the Bruins celebrated by dog-piling in the end zone.
“I figured we were going to put in ‘Monster,’ because all season that goal-line package has been reliable,” said Bridgford, who churned out 30 yards on the winning, 78-yard drive. “I’m worn out and a little hurt. I got a helmet to the knee. I got it wrapped up at halftime.”
Federal Way cashed in on a 37-yard interception return by Sean Cornelius for a 21-14 lead as Andre Barrington ran 10 yards up the middle for a TD with 10:22 left. Cornelius returned the pick to the Cascade 10 and Barrington, who finished with 110 yards rushing and two on 19 carries, barreled into the end zone a play later.
Cascade answered when Julian Willis flew around right end and over the end-zone cone for an 11-yard TD. That finished off an 80-yard, nine-play march with 6:33 to go.
“That was a wild finish,” Federal Way coach Joe Meagher said. “We’ve had a few of those types of games and come out on the right end, but it wasn’t our night to do that. They executed better than we did.”
Other games
At Oak Harbor 20,
Bellarmine 10
The fourth-ranked Wildcats (10-0) overcame a 10-7 halftime deficit to beat the Lions of Tacoma (6-3) and move on to state. Johnny Encinas’ 26-yard TD pass to Rodrick Rumble put Oak Harbor up for good and Chris Valencia added a 16-yard scoring run. Encinas finished with 235 yards and two TDs on 17-of-31 passing.
South Kitsap 28,
Kamiak 20
At Gig Harbor High School, Ryan Williams ran for three touchdowns as the Wolves (7-3) beat the Knights (7-3) to set up a first-round playoff game against Graham-Kapowsin. Kamiak’s Justin Glenn had 141 yards and a TD on eight carries before leaving with an ankle injury.
Central Kitsap 31, Puyallup 16
At Silverdale Stadium, the Cougars (9-1) beat the Vikings (7-3) and moved on to state and a matchup with No. 2 Bothell.