The Kentwood High football team passed the test last Friday night at French Field.
A program long-known for its running, grind-it-out style of play turned to the air in sealing a playoff berth in a loser-out game against Kentlake. Quarterback Tristan Askew completed 5 of 8 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Conquerors past the Falcons 28-0 in the final regular-season South Puget Sound League North Division game for both teams.
Askew’s performance was exactly what the Conquerors needed in the must-win situation.
“For us to come out and throw the football … I am happy about that. I thought Tristan had a hell of a game,” said Kentwood coach Rex Norris. “He is an example of a kid who sat and waited his turn. He has come out his senior year and been a workaholic. He has listened, taken advice on things and it’s paying off.”
With the win, the Conquerors (6-2 in league, 7-2 overall) will take the SPSL North’s No. 2 seed to the playoffs. A loss would have eliminated Kentwood from qualifying for the postseason and given Kentlake the North’s No. 4 seed. Instead, the Conquerors will open the playoffs at home this Friday, when they play host to Issaquah (6-3), KingCo’s No. 3 seed. Issaquah beat Woodinville 28-21 last week to earn the playoff berth. Issaquah beat Kentwood last year in the state opener, 31-28.
Askew helped the Conquerors make an immediate statement on Friday night. He opened the game by finding wide receiver AC Songco down the right sideline for an 18-yard gain. Two plays later, Askew ripped off a 15-yard gain with his legs, then found Songco again two plays later, this time on a 26-yard touchdown strike. The score gave Kentwood a 7-0 lead just 1:59 into the game.
How badly did Askew want this win?
“I felt I did (have to perform),” said Askew, who also rushed for 87 yards on eight carries and who finished with 263 yards of total offense. “I wanted to take my team to the playoffs.”
The Kentwood senior put his right arm on display midway through the second quarter, hooking up again with Songco on a 56-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline, giving the Conquerors a 14-0 lead with 7:22 remaining in the half. Staring at a 2nd-and-13 at the Kentwood 44 yard line, Askew took a four-step drop, escaped pressure, and then delivered a 45-yard dart to Songco, who galloped into the end zone untouched for the final 15 yards.
“Tristan Askew has got a cannon for an arm,” said Songco, who pulled in three passes for 100 yards, including the two touchdowns. “We’ve been practicing that play all week. I run as fast as I can … I go deep and Tristan just led me.”
The Conquerors put the game away with an 11-play, 52-yard drive on their first possession of the third quarter. Matt Hubbard finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run.
“This was very big,” Askew said. “If we lost, then we would have to do a crossover game (next week). I didn’t want that. I wanted to play Issaquah next week and that’s what we’re doing.”
Kentwood held Kentlake to 148 yards of total offense, 53 in the second half. It’s the first time Kentlake has been shutout since Nov. 3, 2005 against Bethel (23-0).
“I don’t think we played to our potential,” Shepard said. “I don’t know if we can attribute that to kids not being ready or what. I thought we were going to play a whole lot better.”
