Lummi wins a laugher
Blackhawks run up 70-20 lead on Oakville before mercy rule ends game at halftime; next up: Lake Quinault.

The Blackhawks kick back and enjoy themselves on the bench during the second quarter of Saturday's win over Oakville while the substitutes see some action. They are, from left, Ray Jefferson, Jeremy Roberts, Ty Jameson, Ronomus Revey, Alex LaClair and Nelson Montenegro.

Lummi assistant coach Dean Pederson was almost gleeful Saturday night when talking about how hard the Blackhawks cracked the Oakville Acorns in their blow-out victory at Edmonds Stadium. “We made a statement,” he said as the players mingled with friends and family in front of the grandstand. “Jim (Sandusky) always preaches that we need to hit harder than anyone, and it showed there.”

Senior lineman Lonnie James said he was more pleased with how well the Blackhawks carried out their assignments. “I don’t really think it was the hitting,” he said. “It was our technique, what we were supposed to do on every play.”

David "Moon" James takes the direct route to Oakville quarterback Anthony Pender.

It’s probably not a case of either/or. More likely it’s function — as in teeth-rattling hits — following form. Sandusky says the coaches continually stress proper technique: taking the most direct angle to the ball, sustaining blocks, getting into correct position for tackles. At midseason the Blackhawks were relying less on technique and more on their speed and raw athletic ability. That works against lesser opponents, but won’t cut it the deeper they go into the playoffs; so in the past few weeks the team has been concentrating more on the basics. “You’re going to have more success,” Sandusky says, “you’re going to have more confidence.”

The Blackhawks played with confidence against Oakville, and their success was evident from the opening minutes. They built a 24-6 lead after the first quarter, and midway through the second quarter Sandusky began substituting. The Acorns managed three touchdowns, but they also turned the ball over four times. David James forced a fumble that Gale Jefferson scooped up and ran in for a touchdown, and Martin Oldham returned an interception 83 yards for a score. “Incredible,” Martin said of his first varsity touchdown. “I don’t know how to explain it. Best feeling ever.”

Martin Oldham celebrates with Michael James after returning an interception 83 yards for a touchdown, his first varsity score.

Sandusky used all two dozen of his players, and in a variety of positions. Freshman lineman Joe “Jolly” Phair kicked off following a touchdown. Junior guard Alex LaClair ran for an extra point, as did senior running back Lawrence Tom. Senior wide receiver Kody Dennis ran one in, too, but it was called back by a penalty; so he then passed to Michael James for the extra point. Sandusky said he wished the game had gone the full four quarters so the reserves, especially the seniors, could have played more. “With the score the way it was, and with the teams we’ll be facing the rest of the year,” he said, “some of those guys might not see the field again.”

Lawrence Tom leaves the field after running in an extra point in the second quarter. He had the wind knocked out of him on the play.

The Blackhawks advanced to the quarterfinals of the 1B state playoffs, where they will meet Lake Quinalt on Saturday at Bellingham’s Civic Stadium. (The time has yet to be determined; check back later this week.) Lummi squeaked by the Elks 28-24 last year in the quarterfinals. Gale Jefferson batted down a lateral and recovered the ball with about a minute to go to preserve the win. Lake Quinault is 9-1, its only loss a 36-32 setback to Wishkah Valley. The Elks and Blackhawks have four common opponents this season, and they both routed all of them. “They’ve got pretty much the same squad they had last year,” Sandusky said. “They are a little more of a running team than a passing team. They’re athletic and well coached.” In other words, it’s time for the Blackhawks to get down to basics.