Jackson's defense slows Shorecrest; air show KOs unbeaten Scots

EVERETT — Jake Gelakoska's first pass attempt last night was an inauspicious one.

Jackson's junior quarterback dropped back, fired and missed his target as the ball skipped across the wet Everett Memorial Stadium artificial turf.

From there, however, the 6-foot-4 Gelakoska went on a tear, completing 13 consecutive passes. He finished with 205 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 38-20 WesCo South Division football victory over previously unbeaten Shorecrest.

Jackson (4-2) entered the game in a three-way tie for third place with Mariner and Everett.

"All week long we were saying every week is a playoff week from here out," said Gelakoska, who finished the first quarter 10-of-11 passing for 152 yards and both of his touchdown throws. "This was a good win. It feels really good. We just threw the ball around. We executed and got a great win."

Gelakoska, who finished 16 for 22 and didn't throw an interception, also scored on a 2-yard run. Junior wide receiver Kawika Emsley-Pai caught six passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half.

Gelakoska and the Timberwolves from Mill Creek capitalized on four Shorecrest fumbles, turning three in to touchdowns.

Chris Peterson anchored a strong defensive effort for the Timberwolves. The senior defensive end recovered two fumbles, running one in for a 5-yard score, and was also involved in three sacks.

The Timberwolves also were the first team to slow down Shorecrest's Jesse Hoffman. The senior running back entered the game with 1,085 rushing yards and scored 14 touchdowns in five games — an average of 217 yards and three TDs. But he was held to a season-low 71 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries last night.

"We told the kids all week that the key to beating this team was to shut down their best player and force the other guys to do something big," said Jackson coach Joel Vincent. "Our kids did it. I'm proud of them."

With a two-touchdown lead to start the second half, Jackson looked to Anthony Davis to run time off the clock. The senior running back responded, rushing for 80 of his season-high 95 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown.

Shorecrest (5-1), a Class 3A school from Shoreline playing in the largely 4A WesCo South, will need to bounce back quickly from the loss with a showdown with Edmonds-Woodway looming next Friday. The Warriors are 5-0 and alone atop the WesCo South heading into tonight's game against Shorewood.

"Hopefully we learned something from this," said Shorecrest coach Mike Wollan. "We've got to hold onto the football. We were making plays, but the bottom line is you have to hold onto the ball."

Other games

Auburn 34, Kentlake 0

At Auburn Memorial Stadium, senior quarterback Kellen Kiilsgaard ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns and intercepted a pass on defense to help the Trojans (5-1) to an SPSL North victory over Falcons (1-5 overall, 1-2). Kiilsgaard opened the scoring with scoring runs of 5 and 58 yards in the first quarter. Anthony Perry had eight carries for 71 yards and Auburn's last two touchdowns — from 1 and 2 yards.

Spanaway Lake 27, Beamer 14

At Federal Way Stadium, the Sentinels (3-3) had four scoring plays of 21 or more yards, including a 60-yard interception return, in an SPSL South victory over Beamer (1-5). Spanaway Lake passed for 213 yards and two scores. Cole Bixenman of Beamer was 16-for-36 passing for 161 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for a 4-yard score in the second period. He connected with Corey Obungen on an 8-yard scoring pass in the fourth period.

Arlington 42, Kent-Meridian 6

At French Field in Kent, Jake Webb scored four touchdowns and ran for 114 yards as the Eagles (6-0) extended the Royals' (0-6) losing streak to 30 games, the longest in the state. Webb, a senior running back, ran for scores of 16, 54 and 19 yards, and caught a 13-yard scoring pass from Brett Smith. Smith was 13-for-19 passing for 231 yards, with two touchdown throws and one interception. Arlington forced seven K-M fumbles, recovering four.