Columbia runs past Pe Ell in semifinals

TACOMA — In the last two weeks the Columbia (Hunters) Lions’ defense has given up more points (60) than it has in the previous seven weeks (16).

Somehow, they keep winning.

The Lions, powered by a balanced run-pass attack and a late defensive stand, sprinted past Pe Ell, 46-34, in the Tacoma Dome Friday afternoon, to clinch a spot in their first B-8 state title game. There they will meet the winner of the LaCrosse-Washtucna vs. Clallam Bay game being played today in Kennewick at 1 p.m.

Columbia went to the B-11 title game three consecutive years from 1987-1989, winning in ‘87 and ‘88. The Lions improve to 10-1 and the Trojans end their season at 9-1.

“It’s been my goal since I was a little kid to play here,” said junior running back Miles St. John. “It’s a whole different atmosphere, we’ve gotten used to playing in the cold weather; in here it’s warm and so fast because of the turf.”

Columbia head coach Chuck Wyborney, who is also the principal of the school, said most of the small town was in attendance on Friday and they joined the players for a Thanksgiving dinner at the Old Country Buffet. He said supporters of the team had donated $800 and several cases of Gatorade for the players this past week.

“You should see the town right now. There are signs saying ‘Go Lions’ and ‘Good luck Lions’ every 100 yards,” Wyborney said. “My phone was ringing off the hook all week from people who wanted to help.”

St. John scored the go-ahead touchdown with 3:37 remaining, on a 9-yard run. But with over 3 minutes remaining none of the Lions felt comfortable with a 12-point lead.

“You’ve got a 10-point lead and it can change in a matter of seconds,” said St. John who carried 23 times for 107 yards.

The situation got a bit more queasy when the Trojans squirmed their way down to the Lions’ 6-yard line. But facing third-and-2, Pe Ell quarterback Phil Compton was sacked by cornerback Tyson Dashiell. With 58 seconds left Compton got off a pass but it wasn’t enough for a first down.

“Our defensive linemen, Joey Richardson, Jacob Turner and Shawn Hughes had a great game,” said Wyborney, who played for Columbia in the early 90’s. “They were handled last week (against Jubilee Christian) but they won today.”

Despite giving up 34 points Wyborney felt his defense played well considering they had never played against an offense that ran the option.

“We wanted to take the fullback (Jason Canales) out of the game,” Wyborney said. “We watched them play a couple of times and he probably had about 75 percent of their offense. That’s the first time we’ve seen option in a long time.”

Pe Ell had a similar game plan, they were able to stop St. John from breaking off a long run in the open field (his longest was 24 yards). That only allowed Columbia quarterback Dominic Kegel to show off his arm. Kegel completed 7 of 12 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns, each one to a different receiver.

Mitchell Hammond caught four of Kegel’s passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Just over a year ago Hammond broke the lower half of his leg. He had two screws and a titanium rod put in his shin. Doctors told Hammond that he would be able to begin being active again in a year but Hammond was off crutches in six weeks.

Hammond’s touchdown catch came with under 3 minutes remaining in the first half on a 27-yard strike from Kegel to put the Lions up 32-20 heading into the half.

A 46-yard pass play from Compton to Canales with 6 minutes remaining put the Trojans within four, 38-34. Less than 3 minutes later St. John scored what would be the final touchdown of the game.