Shadle Park big game combo from Hooper to Boston too much for Mt. Spokane in the 20-16 win

Mt. Spokane, a traditional power for the past decade in the Greater Spokane League, had a tough test last week — a 33-0 loss at the hands of Central Valley, a school that has reestablished its football identity after going 4-1. 6 seasons.

Thursday provided the Wildcats with their first opportunity to turn things around with a home showdown with Shadle Park – which was a big winner last week in its first game as the Highlanders return to the 3A ranks.

It was tight throughout, but the Highlanders’ big game combination was too much for the Wildcats.

Kaden Hooper hit Jacob Boston for three long touchdowns, including the score with less than 3 minutes left in the game, and Shadle Park beat Mt. Spokane 20-16 in a GSL 4A/3A league game at Union Stadium.

The Highlanders moved to 2-0 after multiple seasons playing in Class 2A.

“It feels great,” Hooper said. “I know we’re the underdogs. Everyone thought we would fight. And I mean, close game right there, but we ended up with the “W.” That’s all that matters.”

“The other teams like to call us ‘2A,’” Shadle Park coach Jim Mace said. “Well, ‘2A’ is kicking 3A right now. And we will continue it.”

Down 16-14, the Highlanders got the ball with 4 minutes, 6 seconds left in the game and an interference penalty moved them to midfield. Hooper carried 17 yards, then hit Boston with a 33-yard touchdown run. The 2-point try failed and Shadle led 20-16 with 2:45 left.

“I saw the corner bit,” Hooper said. “I knew if that corner bit, I trusted Jacob’s speed to throw it up there. I mean, it wasn’t the best ball, but I put it in there and he just made a play.”

Shadle’s Justyce Enger recovered a line-drive kick that bounced off a Mt. Spokane up and the Highlanders ran off the clock.

Hooper completed 11 of 32 passes for 203 yards — 191 of those to Boston, who made nine catches. Hooper also carried 21 times for 101 yards.

Whenever Shadle Park needed a spark, Hooper looked to Boston.

“He’s our guy,” Hooper said. “When we know we need something, we just throw it at him. We know I trust him. I know he can catch the ball. I believe in his abilities.”

“We just have a good group of kids that believe in themselves,” Mace said. “Our quarterback is a fighter and we know Boston, our receiver — (Brayden Allen) at Ridgeline is a good receiver. But you know what, that’s the way it is (Boston). It does a lot of good things.”

Mt. Spokane scored on its first drive of the game, with Rock Franklin taking a counter around right end and down the sideline 32 yards for a touchdown.

Shadle went right down the field with Hooper hitting Boston for 39 yards to the Wildcats’ 11. After a touchdown was called back due to a penalty on third down, Hooper attempted a slant pass, but it was picked off by Quincy Malacas on the play. end zone to end the threat.

Shadle Park forced a punt, then went into the red zone again. On the second play of the second quarter, Hooper connected with Boston on a 27-yard fly pattern for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-all.

Mt. Spokane converted a fourth-and-down at Shadle’s 33, but the drive stalled at the 8. Andrew Thomas made a 25-yard field goal to put the Wildcats up 10-7 with just over 3 minutes left remained in the half. .

The Highlanders got the ball back with 58.6 seconds left and drove to the Wildcats 38. With 3.9 seconds left, Hooper kicked it into the back corner of the end zone and Boston went up and took it between three defenders for a touchdown and 14-10. lead at halftime.

The Wildcats came out of halftime and on the third play of the second half Ryker Tweedy went deep to Luke Merkelbach for a 39-yard TD pass. The extra point was blocked and the Wildcats led 16-14.

Whether it was good defense or rusty offense, the teams traded points until midway through the fourth. Facing fourth-and-5 at the Shadle 35, Tweedy tried to go deep, but the pass was deflected and the Wildcats turned it over on downs.

Shadle went for fourth-and-8, but Hooper’s pass to Boston came up a yard short and Mt. Spokane took over at the Shadle 45 with 5 minutes remaining. But the Wildcats went three-and-out and the ensuing punt went 9 yards, leading to the Highlanders’ green drive.

“We left some points on the board,” Mace said. “But the defense played really well tonight, so I’m glad to see everybody playing at full capacity.”

The Highlanders host University next week, while Mt. Spokane is looking for its first win against Gonzaga Prep.