Capital loses heartbreaker to Timberline, 6-0

Deep in Capital territory, a bad snap sailed over sophomore QB Kellen Camus' head, and in the aftermath, Timberline pounced on the ball in the end zone. The lone score would stand up in a struggle marked by strong defense by both squads in the Cougs' first league contest.

Timberline's fast DEs and linebackers had little trouble containing the Spread, sacking Camus several times in the first half and holding the Cougs to only 44 rushing yards overall. Late in the third quarter, though, Coach J.D. Johnson switched the offense into a Power T set.

It would give the Cougs new life. Capital ran with much more success in the new formation as the Blazers struggled to identify the ball carrier. Fullback Michael Peters pounded the ball inside for several crucial first downs. Eventually, with two minutes in the 4th, the Blazers got their one needed stop, and the Cougar rally ended.

I wonder if Johnson is going to roll out the Power T in future games against teams with fast defensive backs. It seemed to provide Camus with better protection--he completed several roll-out passes--and, more often than not, moved the chains within three downs.

Timberline opens its season 1-0 in league, and looks to continue its run next week against Clover Park. Capital heads over to face Lakes, perhaps the Western Cascade Conference's toughest squad.

Update 9/15: The Olympian weighs in.

In a scoreless shutout, in a game where first downs came less often than punts, Timberline desperately needed a break Friday.

And midway through the second quarter against Capital, Timberline got that break when Dylan Maxwell recovered a high snap that sailed over the quarterback's head and into the end zone, giving the Blazers a hard-fought 6-0 victory.

In a defensive battle where each team had less than 80 yards rushing and less than 100 yards passing, defense came up with the game's lone score.

"We hang this win on our defense," Timberline coach Nick Mullen said. "If we can hold a team under 21 points, we know we've got a shot at winning. That's our goal each game."

Update II: Our trip to Lakes could be the toughest of the year. Lakes, according to Tom Wyrwich, is vying with Skyline for the right to be called best in 3A.

They have the state's most-recruited senior in Kavario Middleton. What's amazed most people I've talked to is the rhythm the Lancers are in so early in the season. They were that way even in week 1 against Gig Harbor, and have kept it up. "It's like they're already playing in the state tournament," another scribe told me.

Put simply, I don't think there's another team out there in Class 3A that can match up with Lakes' athletes. Could Skyline win? Absolutely, especially if coach Steve Gervais, one of the area's most accomplished coaches, came up with the perfect gameplan.

Both teams are very good. But in my opinion, Lakes is just that good right now.

Yikes.