FOOTBALL: Defensive-minded KR locks down Tahoma, 17-14

The Kentridge High football team needed an offensive spark Friday night at Maxwell Stadium.

The Chargers received that spark, though it came from an unexpected source – the defense. Behind Sean Ringor’s 32-yard interception return for a touchdown and a monster defensive performance from linebacker Dylan Zylstra, Kentridge found a way to knock off Tahoma 17-14 in a pivotal South Puget Sound League North Division game.

“The offense has been struggling and we’ve been working on that in practice,” said Zylstra, who record 15 tackles in the game, including four for a loss. “Our defense just knew it needed to hold ’em and that’s exactly what we did. We came in fired up, gave up hardly any yards, were shooting gaps … we just brought it to ’em.”

Had it not been for Ringor’s big interception return in the second quarter, the final result very well could have been different. With Kentridge leading 10-7, Ringor picked off an errant pass from Tahoma quarterback Travis Montoya, found the lead block of Alex Tyson, then skirted down the left sideline 32 yards for the score.

It was the last time the Chargers (4-1 in league, 4-2 overall) would see the end zone all night.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” Ringor said. “As soon as I caught the ball and saw Tyson out there for a lead block, I knew I could score.”

Kentridge’s defense helped the Chargers overcome a lackluster offensive performance. Offensively, the Chargers did little against a staunch Tahoma (3-3, 3-3) defensive performance. The Chargers managed just two first downs and 96 yards of total offense in the entire game. More staggering is the fact that 65 of Kentridge’s total yards on offense came on its first play from scrimmage, a 65-yard touchdown run around the left side by running back Cameron McKernan that gave the Chargers an immediate 7-0 lead.

Tahoma coach Tony Davis was speechless after the game.

“I’m kind of at a loss,” he said. “(Our defense) was unbelievable. We just couldn’t get anything going on our side of the ball, which is a credit to their defense as well.”

The Kentridge defense held Tahoma to 141 yards of offense, including 94 on the ground on 44 carries. The Bears mustered just two first downs in the second half. In addition, 29 of Tahoma’s 44 rushing attempts went for 3 yards or fewer.

Kentridge was playing its third straight game without standout running back/linebacker Devin Topps, who has a sprained knee. Adding to the bumps and bruises, McKernan, who rushed 3 times for 78 yards, left the game early in the first half with a knee injury. Meanwhile, Kentridge quarterback Caleb Smith, who connected on just 2 of 11 passes for 8 yards, left the game late in the second half with a knee injury.

“Perseverance and grit,” said Kentridge coach Marty Osborn when asked to explain how his team won despite collecting just two first downs. “Neither offense was sterling, so it really was an old-school defensive game.”

Early on, Tahoma took advantage of a Kentridge fumble to tie the game 7-7. Tahoma’s Riley Owens recovered the Kentridge miscue at the Chargers’ 45-yard line. Ten plays later, Montoya connected with Jake Akins for a 5-yard touchdown.

Kentridge regained the lead with 7:12 remaining in the second quarter on a 37-yard field goal from Wes Concepcion, a boot that cleared the goalposts by a solid 10 yards. Three plays later, Ringor supplied the heroics with his touchdown-scoring interception, pushing KR’s lead to 17-7.

Tahoma didn’t back down as Cody Gilje blocked a Concepcion punt with two minutes remaining in the half. Tahoma’s Konner Knudtsen recovered the blocked punt at Kentridge’s 5-yard line, leading to Montoya’s 4-yard touchdown run.

Kentridge’s defense then took the game on its shoulders, keeping Tahoma from breaking past midfield the rest of the night. Much of that is credit to Zylstra, who wouldn’t let the Chargers be denied.

“My motor is about as high as it can go,” Zylstra said. “People know me for being kind of crazy (on the field). Off the field, I kind of mellow out a little bit. But I get kind of crazy when it comes to football. I turn it to a whole new level.”

“Out here, I got to be a playmaker.”

And Friday night, Zylstra and the rest of the Kentridge ‘D’ was just that.

Kentridge 17, Tahoma 14

Kentridge 7 10 0 0 — 17

Tahoma 7 7 0 0 — 14

KR: Cameron McKernan 65 run (Wes Concepcion kick).

T: Jake Akins 5 pass from Travis Montoya (David Stoecker kick)

KR: Concepcion 37 FG.

KR: Sean Ringor 32 interception return (Concepcion kick).

T: Montoya 4 run (Stoecker kick).