Mount Si Wildcats routs Hazen Highlanders in first round of football playoffs, 27-0
November 9, 2009
By Dan Catchpole
Wildcat linebacker Zach Storm (left) sprints for the end zone after intercepting a pass while defensive linebacker creates room for his teammate. (Photo by Dan Catchpole)
NEW — 8:21 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Halftime adjustments and a combination of running and passing offense carried Mount Si past Hazen Nov. 7 and into the second round of the postseason. It was another night of a common story during this season’s second half: despite nasty weather, the Wildcats won thanks to their focus and power offense.
Mount Si will face no. 1-ranked Bellevue.
Regardless of the final score, 27-0, the game was much tighter during the first half, as the rain pelted down on the field in Renton Stadium and the wind whipped around. The players’ breaths were lit up crisply by the stadium lights as the temperature hovered around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
“We stuck with it, and ended up coming out on top,” said coach Charlie Kinnune.
He called the night a “gutty effort” by both teams.
Backup quarterback Ian Ilgenfritz started the game. Kinnune sat regular starter Chris Clark for the first half because of an academic issue that had been resolved. The start gave Ilgenfritz, a junior, a taste of postseason play for next year.
“Ian’s our quarterback next year,” Kinnune said.
He was happy to give him a chance to play in a high stakes game, he said.
Ilgenfritz played well despite the inclement weather. He completed seven of 18 passes for 100 passing yards.
“I was nervous, but you got to do your best,” Ilgenfritz said.
While the Wildcats controlled the ball the first half, Hazen’s defense stymied their drives until the second quarter, when running back Matthew Bankston had a four-yard touchdown run.
As usual, Bankston did the bulk of Mount Si’s running. The junior had 19 carries for 59 yards.
The Wildcats came out strong during the second half, with Clark in as quarterback. The more experienced Clark struggled with completing passes, managing only two in seven attempts. However, he still notched 44 passing yards, including one touchdown pass.
With Mount Si already comfortably ahead 17-0 in the fourth quarter, linebacker Zach Storm sealed the game when he picked off a Hazen pass on their 28-yard line. His teammates cleared a hole for him, and the six-foot two-inch tall Storm sprinted past Hazen’s scrambling players for the end zone. It was the only interception of the night.
Senior wide receivers Jordan Kinnune and Rossco Castagno helped fuel the Wildcats offense. Kinnune had five receptions for 61 yards. Castagno, Clark’s favorite target, had five receptions for 70 yards. Mount Si has used Castagno in bubble screen plays this season with increasing effectiveness.
Freshman kicker Cameron VanWinkle continued to shine, kicking three extra points and two thirty-two-yard field goals despite the windy conditions.
Mount Si takes on top-ranked Bellevue next. An injured Bellevue squad beat the Wildcats, 28-14, Sept. 25. Mount Si will have to shut down the Wolverines’ rushing game, which picked up 228 yards in their last meeting.
The Wolverines have a strong—and fast—running game, which has managed 1,741 yards so far this year, compared to only 328 passing yards. The Wildcats have to shut down Joey Mangialardi, who has picked up 633 rushing yards on 79 carries. The junior running back has averaged 90 yards a game. If it effectively deals with Mangialardi, the engine behind Bellevue’s success, Mount Si could still have to contend with senior running backs Sean Coley and Freddie Levine, and junior running back Hakeem Atofau. While they haven’t had the playing time Mangialardi has, they have still proven effective.
Mount Si’s defense will have to hold Bellevue’s attack in the first half. So far this season, it has pounced for 287 points in the first half, as opposed to only 63 in the second half. Some of that drop off is due to putting in backup players during blow out games.
Charlie Kinnune acknowledged Bellevue would be tough, but said he is confident in his team.
Ilgenfritz agreed.
Fans “should expect a win,” he said.
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