Out on a high note: Wildcats end 2014 football season with Lynnwood blowout

It was a big, emotional night to close out the football season for Mount Si last Friday, Nov. 7.

The Wildcats dominated Lynnwood, piling up seven touchdowns, imposing the mercy clock and giving the second string some experience. The Wildcats won, 47-13, with touchdowns by Cory Cotto, JoJo Hillel, Sean Hyland, Parker Dumas, and three by Colton Swain. Kicker Jake Ethington contributed five extra points.

Hillel, finishing his high school quarterback career, said the team started the game in top form and ended strong.

“The O-line did great protection. We had time to throw the ball, and our receivers made plays tonight, it was awesome,” he said.

“It was perfect throwing weather,” Hillel said. And, with Mount Si defense blocking tough, Hillel had “all the time in the world” to find receivers.

“There were a lot of holes in the zone, and we were just hitting them,” said receiver Swain.

Mount Si turned multiple Lynnwood fumbles into scoring opportunities in the first half.

“We were just ripping hard. We’ve been working all year on ripping, and it finally came together,” Hillel said.

Much of Mount Si’s varsity starters had the second half of the night off, as second-stringers came in under the running clock, which activates if a team is up by 40 points before the half begins. Harrison Danna took over QB duties in the second half. It was one of a few chances for the underclassman to get some Friday night experience.

“It was really fun coming out and putting a whole game together,” commented lineman LaFonte Beverly.

Senior lineman Chris Schlicting had shout-outs for his entire line, singling out “Ryan McVay, a junior, pushing them around. LaFonte, our center, has come a long way. Cameron Davis our right guard, Ryan Findley, pushing people around out there. As a line, it was our best game of the season. When you give JoJo time to throw the ball, things are going to happen.”

On the second string, “they have talent for next year, that’s for sure, a lot of skilled players returning. They’re definitely going to be set and ready to go.”

“It really hasn’t hit me yet,” added Schlicting. “It’s probably going to hit me later tonight. Best fans, best stadium. It’s hard to beat what we’ve got here. It was nice ending the way we did.”

Cory Cotto’s quick scamper made for his fifth touchdown of the season. The win “felt really good. It’s a good thing to build on,” said Cory Cotto, a sophomore. “Next season is going to be a good one for us.”

“We knew we could get open against these guys,” said senior wide receiver Sean Hyland. “We created and did a good job.”

Legacy of 2014

Like Schlicting, the finality hadn’t hit Hyland yet, after the buzzer.

“I’m gonna remember how these guys fought till the end,” Hyland said. “This was a crazy year for injuries, but everyone fought through it and never gave up, and we got to go out as winners. That’s pretty special.”

“I’ve got four more years, so I feel lucky that it’s not over for me,” said Schlicting, who has commited to play for the University of Montana at Missoula.

“It was awesome being able to have one more game here,” he said. “This is the last time I’ll ever be able to play on this field. I don’t think you can ever expect to have a blowout like this,” Schlicting said. “This is Kingco 4A football, this is the best league in the state.

“The senior class really stepped it up and showed us how to be good leaders,” said Swain, a junior. “We’re going to take that leadership into next year.”

About this season, Beverly said he’ll remember “just coming together in 4A and showing we belong here.”

“We came out and showed them who we were,” Hillel said. “We’ve all played together since we were 8. It’s memorable.”

“It’s not just about football,” said senior Richard Willard. “It’s about preparing us for life and what’s ahead. I’ve learned a lot from Coach Kinnune.”