Class 2A championship: Meridian title victory over Pullman a smash hit
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TACOMA — Cody Bowden cradled a corner of the Class 2A championship trophy, gently handing it off to some of the Meridian High School football faithful celebrating with the team.
It was the first time Bowden did anything gently all day.
Bowden provided an edge as top-ranked Meridian played power football instead of its customary pass-dominated offense to cap a perfect season with a 34-10 decision over No. 12 Pullman yesterday at the Tacoma Dome.
The Trojans (14-0) secured their second 2A state championship to go with one in 1999.
Meridian, located in Laurel near Bellingham, deviated from its customary style with smashmouth directness as opposed to the usual football-flinging flair. Ball control and in-your-face defense replaced the Trojans' season-long air show.
Meridian slowed Pullman's running game to a crawl, limiting it to 12 yards on the ground and 174 total yards. Meridian, meanwhile, had 215, including 117 yards rushing on 38 carries. The Trojans forced the Greyhounds into five turnovers — including three that led to touchdowns.
"Defense is what everybody likes," said Bowden, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound running back/defensive end who scored touchdowns on a run and a fumble return. "It's fun to hit people. It just felt good to go out and play football.
"We definitely got things going on defense. That's when everybody gets excited. We always did something to get the spirits up on defense."
Three of Pullman's turnovers were fumbles, a testament to how hard Meridian was hitting. The grind-it-out style on offense accented the theme of the day.
"When they showed eight defensive backs, we went to the run," said Meridian junior quarterback Jordan Slesk, who completed 7 of 12 passes for 98 yards after coming in with more than 3,115 yards and 43 TDs passing this season.
"We'd do whatever it takes to get a title. We have a great line. And our defense really stepped it up."
Pullman (11-3), making its third championship-game appearance, finished second for the third time in school history.
First-round state-playoff losses in 2002 and 2001 fueled Meridian's seniors.
"With our previous playoff history, this year's senior class is so close," Bowden said. "We decided we really wanted to come out and be undefeated and win a state championship."
Meridian's lead quickly grew to 27-3 with two touchdowns just 16 seconds apart midway through the second quarter.
Sean Self bulled into the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown on a slant pass from Slesk at the 6:54 mark.
On Pullman's next offensive play, Bowden plucked the ball out of the air when teammate and cousin Steve Auld hit and stripped Pullman quarterback David Cofer. Bowden jetted untouched 30 yards for a 27-3 Trojans lead 6:38 before halftime.
"Steve and I have been exchanging hits and causing fumbles for each other on opposite sides of the line all season," said Bowden. "I guess he owed me one."
Known for their pass-first mentality, the Trojans knew they'd need to run against a Pullman defense designed to stop their air attack.
Said Auld: "We knew we had to win it in the trenches. We knew we had to run the ball, because they had fast guys pressing our receivers."