Mount Si started strong, wavered and refocused to win 26-14 at Interlake.
The Wildcats dominated the first half, taking a 17-0 lead into halftime. The offense faltered in the second half, but still managed to tack on another 9 points.
Despite the school’s reputation for smash-mouth football, the team wasn’t afraid of putting the ball in the air.
“In our attempt to diversify our offense, which means passing for us, you know, it would be second and four, and we’d pass the ball,” Wildcats head coach Charlie Kinnune said. “So, normally, a Mount Si offense would be second and four, and we’d jam it down their throat.”
But not this year. Passing figures to play a bigger role for the Wildcats, who improved their league record to 2-0 with the win (3-1 overall).
“We have to become a better, more efficient passing team,” Kinnune said.
Mount Si’s offensive line and quarterback Ryan Atkinson are giving Kinnune the confidence to take to the air with more frequency.
“We’re always going to play to our strengths,” Kinnune said.
Mount Si’s passing game had some problems as the game wore on. After completing three of five pass attempts in the first quarter, Atkinson went four for 10.
But the problem wasn’t with the senior’s accuracy or the defense’s coverage. The team’s receivers let a few passes slip by, and that is something they will work on, Kinnune said.
Nonetheless, the Wildcats’ passing game paid off against Interlake. Two of the their three touchdowns came from pass plays. Tyler Button and Jimbo Davis each had 28-yard touchdown receptions.
But the Wildcats’ bread and butter is still a running-centered power offense.
Running back Connor Deutsch led the ground attack. He had 81 yards on 22 carries, including a 2-yard touchdown run.
The defense had trouble containing Interlake running back Jordan Todd. The 5-foot-6 senior ran for 338 yards on 28 carries.
“Defensively, we’ve got to tackle better,” Kinnune said.
Todd’s speed and agility still weren’t enough to overcome the Wildcats’ lead.
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