BATTLE GROUND RUNNING BACK Reed Thompson (21), shown here in the Tigers’ season finale against Prairie, had 74 yards rushing and a touchdown in Battle Ground’s state playoff game against Gonzaga Prep in Spokane.
Battle Ground High School’s football season of firsts came to an end Saturday in Spokane.
Gonzaga Prep raced to a 21-0 first quarter lead and finished with a 42-14 victory over Battle Ground in the first round of the Class 4A state football playoffs. The loss came in the Tigers’ first state playoff appearance since 1979 and after Battle Ground posted its first-ever playoff victory last week over Kentlake.
“Our season was one of firsts, and as a team and staff we are extremely proud of our accomplishments,’’ said Battle Ground coach Larry Peck. “In the playoff game, we ran into a team that has some extremely good athletes.’’
The best of that group of “extremely good athletes’’ was defensive lineman Evan Weaver, a 6-foot-4, 245-pounder who is headed to the University of California to play in the Pac-12 Conference next season.
“Their big defensive lineman that is going to the University of California on scholarship next year is the real deal as advertised,’’ Peck said. “He can single handedly take over a game and that is pretty much what he did. We slowed him down some by scheme and effort but he is just too much of a playmaker to contain for an entire game.’’
Not only did Weaver wreak havoc while on defense, he also rushed for two touchdowns on offense – one score coming on a 62-yard run in the third quarter and the other on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter. He finished with nine carries and 88 yards on offense and he was a big reason why Gonzaga Prep was able to sack Battle Ground quarterback Gunner Talkington five times and tackle the Tigers’ signal caller four more times in the backfield on draw plays.
The defensive pursuit also forced Talkington into four interceptions. The junior had just six interceptions in Battle Ground’s first 10 games this season.
Gonzaga Prep scored three touchdowns to take a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Battle Ground responded with a 26-yard touchdown run by Reed Thompson in the second quarter to cut the lead to 21-7 at halftime.
After Weaver’s 62-yard touchdown run, Talkington connected with Riley Betcher on a 27-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to again pull the Tigers to within two touchdowns at 28-14. However, Gonzaga Prep scored twice in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
“Our kids battled as they have all year and worked back into the game after a disastrous first quarter and I am proud of their effort,’’ Peck said. “Our kids are gamers and played their hearts out all season long. The coaching staff made huge demands of them and they met that challenge and put together an incredible season.’’
Thompson finished with 74 yards on 12 carries and Betcher had 10 receptions for 106 yards. Kyle Cahoon had seven catches for 69 yards.
Talkington completed 30 of his 50 passes for 277 yards. He finished the season with 2,774 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Battle Ground finished the season with an 8-3 overall record. The Tigers tied for second in the 4A Greater St. Helens League and then earned its way into the postseason by advancing from a three-way tiebreaker before advancing to the state playoffs with a win in the crossover game with Kentlake.
Peck was also appreciative of the support the Battle Ground community showed for his team.
“Our parents and boosters traveled all the way to the game as they do every week and showed tremendous Battle Ground pride,’’ Peck said. “We have incredible supporters and I want to thank them again for the entire team as they were there for us all season long. They demonstrated what we are building here at the high school – UTC, Unity-Toughness-Class.’’
