Oct 25, 2008

Lutes Slip Past Loggers, 14-7

TACOMA, Wash. - A late push by the visiting Pacific Lutheran Lutes gave them a narrow 14-7 victory over the host Puget Sound Loggers in a Northwest Conference football game on Saturday afternoon on Peyton Field at Baker Stadium in Tacoma, Wash.

The Loggers (2-4, 0-3 NWC) got on the board first when Kavin Williams (Ocean Shores, Wash./North Beach) connected with Darrell Stewart (Long Beach, Calif./Loyola) on what would be the Loggers only completion of the day. Stewart made it count however as the Williams-to-Stewart connection went for 42 yards and a 7-0 Logger lead with 12:03 remaining in the first half.

In the second half, the Lutes looked like they were going to even things up at the 9:02 mark when Michael Byrne connected with Kyle Whitford for a 65-yard touchdown but the kick by Niklas Frid went wide left as the Loggers maintained a 7-6 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Loggers looked to be driving for a score as they took the ball 84 yards on 18 plays over 11:02 but the ball was stripped out of the hands of Silas Paul (Portland, Ore./Lincoln) on the PLU three-yard line and the Lutes ended up with the ball.

The Lutes then drove the field, going 97 yards on 18 plays concluding with a one-yard touchdown pass from Byrne to Blake Gorle but the two-point PAT attempt was incomplete but the Lutes took a 12-7 lead. The Lutes added their final two points on a late UPS drive when Tony Slater sacked Williams in the endzone for a safety and the 14-7 PLU win.

The Loggers were led in rushing by 92 yards on 25 carries from Williams, who also completed one-of-seven passes for 42 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Paul finished with 48 yards on 18 carries. Cory Dunn (Portland, Ore./Central Catholic) led the way on defense, making seven tackles. Alverno Middleton (Lakewood, Wash./Clover Park) had five tackles on the day, including two sacks and one other tackle-for-loss.

The Lutes were led by 26-of-42 passing for 288 yards from Byrne, who also had the two scores. Bryce Davis led the Lutes in rushing, taking the ball six times for 21 yards. Andy Sturza was a force defensively, making 14 tackles, including one sack and one other tackle-for-loss.

The Loggers will look to get back in the win column on Nov. 1 when they play host to perennial power Linfield. Kickoff with the Wildcats is set for 1:30 p.m. on Peyton Field at Baker Stadium in Tacoma, Wash.

Box Score



Michael Oates
Federal Way, Wash.
Decatur HS

One of the leaders on the defensive side of the ball, Michael has been among the top run stoppers in the Northwest Conference over the past few seasons. "My favorite class at Puget Sound so far has been Law and Ethics with Lisa Johnson."