Passing grades for Lummi
Blackhawks earn second win of the season

The Blackhawks faced two extra challenges last week as they prepared for Friday's game against St. John-Endicott in Othello. First, they weren't sure they'd have the services of senior quarterback Dustin Tom, who sprained his ankle in the Sept. 13 loss to Tri-Cities Prep. Second, a new academic policy went into effect, requiring students to have a C in all their classes in order to participate in extracurricular activities. Lummi overcame both obstacles. Tom, still hobbled a bit — coach Jim Sandusky said he was about 80 or 85 percent — managed to throw for more than 500 yards in the 58-20 win. And all but four of the Blackhawks earned good enough grades to play in the game. Another three must attend after-school tutoring to make up missed or late assignments. They will miss the first half of practices.

Sandusky said the weather was hotter in Othello than it had been the week before when the Blackhawks repeatedly cramped up against the better-conditioned Jaguars. The coaches made sure the players drank plenty of water on the way over and during the game, and Sandusky substituted more than he had the previous week. "We didn't have any cramping," he said. "We made a step in the right direction that way."

As for Tom, he's looking more and more like the Lummi Jake Locker. Sandusky said someone who was keeping stats — he thinks it might have been someone from bsports.org — said Tom nearly set a state record for completions with 36 or 39 (the coach is checking on the exact number). In any case, he completed passes to seven different receivers in leading the Blackhawks' passing attack. Sandusky says he's had quarterbacks who've had stronger arms or who were more elusive, but "I don't think we've had anyone who's had the whole package (like Tom)."

Assistant coach Rocki Sandusky said Tom has some of the best touch of any high school quarterback he's seen — high praise considering Rocki was Locker's favorite receiver at Ferndale. Rocki said Tom reminds him of Kellen Moore, the former Prosser star who torched Oregon on Saturday.

Tom will have a chance to add to his statistics this week when Lummi plays host to Neah Bay at 2 p.m. Saturday. The game originally was scheduled for Friday night, but the new lights have yet to arrive. Neah Bay is 2-1 with wins over Crescent and Clallam Bay and a loss to Lake Quinalt.

Editor's note: Pride of a Nation was unable to attend the game against St. John-Endicott, thus the reason there are no photos. Check back later this week for a feature story and photos of the Lummi coaching staff.