Screaming Eagles steamroll on Senior Night

REARDAN – Something had to give when Medical Lake faced off against the Screaming Eagles on a rain-soaked football field on Senior Night Friday, Nov. 1.

Up to this game, both teams had stumbled through the meat of their schedule, each losing their last six games. On this night, it was Reardan's seniors who stepped up and made the big plays in their 44-0 blowout of Medical Lake.

Prior to the game, Levi Hammel, Evan Krupke, Preston Winn, Zander Thornton and Rysen Soliday were recognized as being the seniors playing their last home game.

Medical Lake committed its first of many turnovers on their first possession of the game when the punter flubbed a high snap from the center, allowing Winn to pounce on the loose ball at the 1-yard line. Seconds later, Thornton ran up the gut for a touchdown. His two-point conversion gave the Screaming Eagles an 8-0 lead with 9:38 left in the first quarter.

Soliday ended the Cardinals' next drive when he intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards to the Medical Lake 30-yard line. On fourth down, Thornton raced 25 yards into the end zone for his second touchdown of the quarter giving the Screaming Eagles a 14-0 lead.

On Reardan's ensuing kickoff, the Cardinals made their third straight mistake by not handling the ball cleanly.

The Screaming Eagles dug the loose ball out of the mud to regain possession.

Seconds later, quarterback Soliday hit a diving Hunter Flaa on a 30 yard pass which placed the ball on the Cardinals' 5-yard line. Two plays later, Soliday tucked the ball and ran around the left end for the Screaming Eagles' third score of the first quarter. The two-point conversion was successful on a Soliday romp around the right end to bump his team's lead to 22-0 with 3:48 left in the quarter.

On the first play of the second quarter, Krupke sprinted 39 yards up the middle for the Screaming Eagles' fourth touchdown in just over 12 minutes. Thornton's two-point conversion made the score 30-0.

Medical Lake's next drive ended when Flaa picked off a fluttering pass, which returned the ball back over to Reardan. Soliday rewarded Flaa by hitting him on a 39 yard pass over the middle for another Screaming Eagles' touchdown.

Soliday toted the ball into the end zone on the two-point conversion to give Reardan a 38-0 lead.

Medical Lake's last gasp attempt to score before halftime ended when Brody Jones picked off another Cardinals' pass. At the half, Reardan led 38-0.

On the Screaming Eagles' first possession of the second half, Thornton struck again.

This time on an eight yard touchdown run, making the score 44-0.

Two more Medical Lake drives ended abruptly with interceptions by Flaa and Gavin Wynecoop.

In the fourth quarter, Reardan head coach Matt Clouse substituted liberally and allowed some of his boys to switch positions as they cruised to the 44-0 win.

Reardan out gained Medical Lake in total yards 327-139. Thornton led the Screaming Eagles' offense by rushing for 67 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Krupke rushed for 69 yards and scored one touchdown. Soliday rushed for one touchdown. Flaa led his team in receiving with 39 yards and one touchdown.

"The boys came fired up and ready to play," Clouse said. "We ran the ball effectively and our defense played extremely tough. It was a great team win in honor of our seniors in their last home game."

"This win feels great," Soliday said. "We've had a lot of adversity this season and Coach Clouse taught us how to push through it. This season has been so fun, I'll never forget it."

Soliday said the rainy weather inspired them to play their best.

"It rained all day long and we decided to not let it get in our way," he said. "We embraced it and said, 'let's let Medical Lake worry about it.'"

Thornton was pleased his classmates played such a crucial role in the game.

"We were excited to play our last game on this field," he said. "Me, Rysen and Evan ran around before the game getting everyone amped up. We wanted to go out swinging.

"The season didn't go as we'd hoped, so this win is nice. It's relieving. Tonight, we were one unit and played like it."

Flaa praised Reardan's seniors for the leadership they showed when losses piled up because of injuries.

"They showed great leadership to the rest of us," Flaa said. "They had a senior season with so many injuries and setbacks, but they persevered and kept working hard. They were always there for their teammates. Tonight, when the reality set in that this was their last game with this crew, they left it all on the field."

With the win, Reardan improved its record to 3-6. The loss dropped Medical Lake to 1-8.

Reardan will play Kettle Falls in the district playoffs Saturday, Nov. 9 at 12 p.m.

The game will be played at Riverside High School.