Opening Football Victories Bolster Cleveland, Sealth

There's nothing like a season-opening victory to bolster the hopes of a downtrodden football program. And they're feeling good today at Cleveland at Chief Sealth high schools.

Picked to finish last in the Metro League's Mountain Division this season, the Eagles stunned Ballard 31-19 Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Chief Sealth, tabbed for seventh place in the preseason poll, rolled to a 40-0 victory over West Seattle in another inter-division game.

Michael Johnson completed six of 14 passes for 195 yards in Cleveland's victory over Ballard. Tony Davis caught two passes for 100 yards, including a 66-yarder for a touchdown. He returned two kickoffs for 130 yards, including one for a TD.

Lanell Jackson rushed for 142 yards on 16 carries and scored on runs of 1, 18 and 3 yards in Sealth's victory. Duane Fashaw gained 117 yards on six carries, including a 15-yard TD, and contributed a 28-yard punt return for a touchdown. Hassen James turned a 41-yard punt return into a touchdown.

-- GARFIELD 14, BLANCHET 0 - Sean Duncan and Shawn McWashington each scored in the first quarter as Mark Stewart won his Garfield coaching debut. Duncan rushed for 112 yards on 16 carries and McWashington completed seven of 11 passes for 111 yards. -- O'DEA 37, AT VANCOUVER COLLEGE 8 - Jovan McCoy rushed for 80 yards on seven carries, including touchdown runs of 17 and 5 yards as defending state champion O'Dea won its season opener in Vancouver, B.C. Charles Young teamed with James Jackson on a 65-yard TD pass, and Kyle Patton added 77 yards rushing. -- LAKESIDE 19, HOQUIAM 13 - Tim Curry scored on a 5-yard run in overtime - his third TD - as Lakeside edged Hoquiam at West Seattle Stadium. A 69-yard interception return by Gavin Slader set up Curry's 1-yard TD run in the second quarter. Curry finished with 89 yards on five carries. -- AT CENTRALIA 51, RAINIER BEACH 0 - Centralia dominated the Metro League Vikings in the nonleague game.