BELLINGHAM – Don’t look now, but Meridian is 3-0 for the first time since 2017 after defeating 4A Kamiak 33-20 at Bob Ames Field on Friday night.
The Trojans took the opening drive 92 yards and capped it off with a 12-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Trey Alexander to junior running back Ethan Valich.
A blocked punt by the Knights gave them great field position later in the first quarter, and they capitalized by scoring on a 35-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 6-6.
The two teams traded scores again in the second quarter, as Alexander found Daniel Larsen on a screen pass, and the 6-foot-5 senior tight end did the rest to rumble 24 yards for a touchdown. Kamiak converted on a 4th-and-1 play in Trojan territory, and was able to score on a 5-yard touchdown pass on the next play to tie the score at 13-13.
Meridian had one more chance to score before the end of the first half, and a quick-strike drive led by Alexander finished in the endzone when he found junior tight end Pierce Brzozowski from six yards out. It was a huge momentum swing just before the half, as the Trojans led 19-13 at the midway break.
Both defenses took control in the third quarter, and it was the most evident when Larsen avoided blocks on a third-down pass play and sacked the Knight quarterback to force a punt.
Meridian was able to gain possession once again early in the fourth quarter, and a long drive was rewarded at the end with another short Alexander-to-Brzozowski touchdown pass.
Kamiak was able to complete a 59-yard pass to flip the field, and eventually score on a 26-yard pass to make it a one-possession game once again, but the Trojans put it out of reach when Alexander tossed his career-best fifth touchdown of the game, this time on a 30-yard fade to junior wide receiver Kasey Brennan.
Senior linebacker Xavier Perrin led the Meridian defense with nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble, which was recovered by Brzozowski who finished with 7.5 tackles. Valich and sophomore cornerback River Todd each finished with six tackles.
The Trojans (3-0) will host Forks (0-3) on Saturday at 1:00. A ceremony will be held before the game to honor legendary coach Bob Ames with a dedication ceremony of naming the football field after him.
Meridian 33 Kamiak 20 KAM 6 7 0 7 - 20 MER 6 13 0 14 - 33 MER - Valich 12 pass from T. Alexander (kick blocked) KAM - 35 yard touchdown pass (run failed) MER - Larsen 24 pass from T. Alexander (Virk kick) KAM - 5 yard touchdown pass (kick good) MER - Brzozowski 6 pass from T. Alexander (kick blocked) MER - Brzozowski 3 pass from T. Alexander (run failed) KAM - 26 yard touchdown pass (kick good) MER - Brennan 30 pass from T. Alexander (Brzozowski pass from T. Alexander) KAM MER 25-157 Rush Att-Yards 16-82 15-23-0 Comp-Att-Int 25-39-1 193 Passing Yards 317 Individual Leaders RUSHING - KAM: N/A. MER: Manzer 1-24, T. Alexander 10-23, Valich 3-17, Pfannenstiel 1-13, Strunk 1-5. PASSING - KAM: N/A. MER: T. Alexander 25-39-1-317. RECEIVING - KAM: N/A. MER: Todd 6-58, Brzozowski 5-50, Larsen 4-65, Brennan 4-57, Valeos 3-22, Egger 2-53, Valich 1-12.
