By Macerio Clark
The Seattle Medium
Playing shorthanded, the Garfield Bulldogs kept their championship hopes alive with a big win over the Bainbridge Spartans in a Metro League playoff matchup Friday night at Memorial Stadium.
The Spartans’ high scoring offense got off to a quick start scoring on an 86-yard drive capped off by senior quarterback Gannon Winker’s two-yard touchdown run to give the Spartans an early 7-0 advantage over Garfield.
The physical and lightning speed of the Spartans defense gave Garfield trouble on their opening drive, forcing the Bulldogs’ into a three and out. The Spartans quickly followed up with an 8 play, 39 yard scoring drive that was capped off by a two-yard touchdown run Winker on a quarterback keeper, giving him his second rushing touchdown of the day.
The Spartans started the second quarter playing out of character, fumbling a punt and giving the Bulldogs great field position at the Spartan’s own five-yard line. On the following play, Garfield running back Aereck Savelio ran up the middle for a five-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 14-7.
Garfield quarterback Javon Tade, who was sidelined for the later half of the regular season, showed no signs of rust as he connected with his 6’3, 215-pound sophomore wide receiver Quinton Jordan for a 75-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 14. Following the Garfield touchdown, the Bulldogs recovered an onside kick placing them at the Spartans’ 46-yard line. Tade would connect with Jordan again, this time on a 17-yard touchdown pass to give the Bulldogs a 21-14 halftime lead.
Tade started the third quarter like a man on a mission, throwing four touchdowns in the quarter, connecting with both Jordan and Tierre Monroe on two touchdown receptions each, to extend the Bulldog lead 47-20 heading into the fourth quarter.
Both teams scored two touchdowns in the final quarter, as Garfield walked away with the victory defeating Bainbridge 59-32.
Despite having key injuries to a number of players, the Bulldogs’ continue to live by their slogan of ‘Next Man Up.” The Bulldogs’ were forced to start four freshmen, all of whom started for the first time this season, in the secondary, but they came up big and helped Garfield avoid a five game losing streak while advancing into the state playoffs. In the weeks to come, Garfield will be getting some of their key players back as they continue on their title quest,
“We get six guys back next week,” says Garfield head coach Joey Thomas. “As long as we keep getting guys back and keep going we are going to be dangerous.”
Pictorial Highlights from Garfield vs Bainbridge Metro League Playoff Game
Photos by Adam Myers
