By Quint Turner

The Mavericks continued the perfect season to 5-0 by beating the Glacier Peak Grizzlies 34-17 Friday in a game dominated by great pass defense and Giavani Shepard.

The Grizzlies’ high-octane offense, led by David Linney at quarterback, was stopped from doing much damage as the Maverick defense bent at times, but never broke. Shepard helped set up the Mavs multiple times in another outstanding effort to continue his stellar season. He also assisted on defense, keeping the wide receivers of Glacier Peak from getting the important completions to bring the Grizzlies back in the game.

The Mavericks put points on the board three times in the first half, which included Kyle Newsom scoring on a 15-yard run late in the first quarter, followed soon after by Kyler Larsen scoring on a 20-yard run to put the Mavericks up 14-0 in the second quarter. Glacier Peak finally got some momentum when Linney threw a pass right on the money to Quinton Dunbar in the endzone to bring the score to 14-7 in the second. However, enough time was allotted for Maverick quarterback Brian Marty to drive the ball down to the three, and then he threw a fade pass to Larsen for the touchdown.

The Mavericks would lead 21-7 at the half, but Glacier Peak got the ball quickly and added a field goal to put them down just 11. However, Marty once again drove the ball back to the red zone, and Ryan White caught a great looking nine-yard touchdown pass, managing to get up in the air to snatch the ball and came down inbounds. Both teams would add a touchdown late, including Shepard scoring from 1 yard out to put the Mavericks out of reach, as Meadowdale won 34-17.

Sports correspondent Quint Turner is a sophomore at Meadowdale High School