AFTER STORM SHOCK THE DALLES, SUMMIT FOCUS NOW TURNS TO COUGARS

The #15 Summit Storm (3-1) took care of business in their fourth non-league game on Sept. 26, defeating the Dalles 55-14 in a game where the Summit defense forced three turnovers, including two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in a 41-point first half.

Jr. TE Cam McCormick (Jr. 6-5/220) and Jr. RB Jason Garcia (Jr. 5-10/175) also contributed to the scoring, with McCormick catching a John Bledsoe (So. 6-2/185) touchdown and Garcia running for two scores.

“The offensive line did their jobs, blocking & getting up to the linebackers and creating holes for me,” said Garcia, who carried the ball six times for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns vs. the winless Riverhawks (0-4). “And I just did the rest.”

With that victory behind them, the 3-1 Storm now prepare for IMC league play which kicks off October 3, with the Storm welcoming the #2 Mountain View Cougars (3-1) who toppled out of the top spot after losing a close game to the #8 Springfield Millers (3-1) 40-34, marking their first defeat of 2014 and only the 9th loss for head coach Brian Crum in the past three years.

McCormick, who has made 6 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown for the Storm in the first four games, indicated that a point of emphasis against Mountain View would be limiting mistakes and minimizing costly penalties.

“We can’t make silly mistakes like we have been,” said McCormick who caught 2 passes for 77 yards in the victory over The Dalles. “Just little things, like we need to know the snap-count and make sure we don’t go full speed in practice.”

Summit has struggled with penalties so far this year, having been penalized 8 times for 70 yards last week. On the flipside, the story of consistent improvement year to year continues for the Storm as both McCormick and Garcia are already producing at a higher rate than last year.

In just four games Garcia has already nearly matched his entire yardage total from his sophomore year, needing only 1 yard to add to his total of 181 yards, to surpass his sophomore total of 182 rushing yards. Garcia had more praise to give to his offensive line for their play especially highlighting C Johnny Murphy and G Noah Yunker (Jr. 6-3/195).

 

“They especially have been doing a great job getting off their blocks, opening holes for me, they’re doing their jobs,” said Garcia.

Summit faces a Mountain View team boasting a prolific offense that averages 35 points a game, featuring standout athletes such as WRs Austin Albin (Sr. 6-4/200) & Dantly Wilcox (Sr. 6-3/185), and RB Cody Anthony (Sr. 6-2/220).

Although sophomore QB Mike Irwin (So. 6-0/190) exited the Springfield game with an injury and needed to be replaced by QB Caleb Tatum (Sr. 6-4/185), the Cougars offense was still able to produce a late score vs. Springfield on a 7 yard touchdown pass from Tatum to WR Chris Adamo (Sr. 5-10/175).

Summit head coach Joe Padilla goes for his 11^th win overall and his fourth of the year this Friday.

 

*photo credits: Mikayla Shelton