MOUNT VERNON – Squalicum and Mount Vernon may have traded scores back and forth for the first three quarters, but one of the Bulldogs’ scores was a field goal, and the Storm converted on 2-point conversions, which gave Squalicum a slight edge throughout the game. However, the Storm leaned on junior running back Djouvensky Schlenbaker and it’s powerful offensive line to clamp onto the 38-24 win at Mount Vernon on Friday night.
Schlenbaker managed just 25 yards rushing on nine carries in the first half, but the All-State running back showed his endurance and determination in the second half as he scored the three second-half touchdowns and finished with 199 yards on 30 carries.
It was the most carries that he has ever had in a game, and he did it running behind Hayden Flaherty, Jaymeson Thompson, Jacob Watt, Jayden Raymond and George Vanos.
The Squalicum defense also had huge stops on 4th-down plays on consecutive Bulldog drives in the fourth quarter. The first was a combined sack by Watt and senior linebacker Billy Scammell. The second was on a sack by Flaherty. Scammell finished with 12 tackles, which tied for the team lead with Thompson.
The Bulldogs started fast, and scored on a 21-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, but Squalicum answered back with the familiar connection between senior quarterback Mason Binning and junior wide receiver Kai Posey. The hooked up again on a two-point conversion to take the 8-7 lead.
After a Mount Vernon field goal, the Storm did it again through the air, this time on a 67-yard touchdown pass from Binning to junior Reed Richardson. Richardson finished with a team-high five receptions for 130 yards.
The Bulldogs scored again late in the first half, thanks to an interception return that gave them tremendous field position at the Squalicum 4-yard line. Mount Vernon was able to run it in two plays later, and went into halftime with a 17-16 lead.
Schlenbaker scored the first of his second-half touchdowns on an incredibly powerful 30-yard run. He, and his offensive line, began to take over the game from there.
The Bulldogs scored again, but were silenced after that with Schlenbaker scoring two more times.
The Storm (2-0) will host Lynden (1-1) at Civic Stadium on Friday at 7:00.
Squalicum 38
Mount Vernon 24
SQU 8 8 14 8 – 38
MV 7 10 7 0 – 24
MV – 21 yard touchdown pass (kick good)
SQU – Posey 14 pass from Binning (Posey pass from Binning)
MV – 37 yard field goal
SQU – Richardson 67 pass from Binning (Schlenbaker pass from Binning)
MV – 4 yard touchdown run (kick good)
SQU – Schlenbaker 30 run (Posey pass from Binning)
MV – 10 yard touchdown run (kick good)
SQU – Schlenbaker 3 run (pass failed)
SQU – Schlenbaker 32 run (Schlenbaker run)
SQU MV
34-191 Rushing Att-Yards 46-206
11-20-1 Comp-Att-Int 9-25-0
185 Passing yards 94
Individual Leaders
RUSHING – SQU: Schlenbaker 30-199, Binning 3-(-1), Richardson 1-(-7). MV: N/A.
PASSING – SQU: Binning 11-20-1-185. MV: N/A.
RECEIVING – SQU: Richardson 5-130, Scammell 4-43, Posey 1-14, Pennock 1-(-2). MV: N/A.
