Top-ranked G-Prep qualifies for state

Gonzaga Prep only needed a sluggish first quarter to get the motivation it required.

After a slow start, the Bullpups erased the idea of an upset and defeated Eisenhower 27-6 in a State 4A preliminary football game Saturday afternoon at G-Prep.

The Cadets scored first, quickly charging down the field on their second possession.

Quarterback Zach Gavin hooked up with Brad Gordon for a 5-yard score and 6-0 lead for Ike (7-3).

But the Cadets’ short-lived momentum ended early when the top-ranked Bullpups (9-1) ganged up to block a punt and recover the ball on Eisenhower’s 4-yard line seconds before the end of the first quarter.

It took G-Prep four plays after the start of the second quarter, but the Bullpups capitalized on the blocked punt as Johnny Jones ran wide right for a 2-yard touchdown.

“That first quarter wasn’t too impressive for us,” G-Prep coach Dave Carson said. “But there wasn’t any reason for us to panic. We came right back and scored, so we were fine.”

The Bullpups scored twice more in the first half.

Max Manix led G-Prep up the field with a 35-yard run that brought the Bullpups to Eisenhower’s 35.

After two more first downs, Manix ran the ball in for a 13-yard TD on an 80-yard drive.

On Ike’s next possession, Travis Long stopped Gavin short of a first down and intercepted a bullet on the next play to bring the Bullpups offense back on the field.

Manix connected with Phil Joy for a 5-yard TD.

G-Prep scored again in the third quarter after Ian Orlando blocked a punt at Ike’s 28.

After the Bullpups burned 2 minutes off the clock, Manix found Michael Stockton in the end zone, a 25-yard connection and the final score of the game.

Orlando’s blocked punt was the Bullpups’ fifth of the season and Orlando’s third.

“Our blocked punts were everything today,” Carson said. “That first one especially was huge for us. It got us going.”

Bryan Karwacki picked off a Gavin pass in the third quarter, but three plays later Manix was intercepted by Aaron Senger.

Manix had a solid day, despite being intercepted twice, finishing 6 for 10 for 63 yards and two TDs.

He led the team in rushing, with 118 yards on 16 carries.

“(Max) is the offense,” Carson said. “He ran the option well, he threw the ball well. He’s been doing really great for us.”

Orlando led a strong Bullpups defensive line that held Gavin, the Columbia Basin League’s leading offensive player, to 89 yards.

“(Ian) really plays with a lot of passion and a lot of heart,” Carson said. “He epitomizes the defense.”

Eisenhower had 246 total yards, which is more than G-Prep has allowed all season. On average, the Bullpups have held teams to 162 yards.

The Bullpups will meet Moses Lake (7-3) in the first round of the state tournament, and will likely have home-field advantage in Saturday’s game.