King’s beats Murphy to wrap up league title

EVERETT — Like any good championship game, it came down to the fourth quarter. And in the fourth quarter Friday night, the King’s Knights prevailed to wrap up the Cascade Conference football title with a 17-7 victory over Archbishop Murphy at Terry Ennis Stadium.

The visiting Knights had three possessions in the final period and each one was pivotal. The first produced a touchdown that broke a 7-7 tie, the second resulted in a field goal for a 10-point margin, and the third allowed King’s to run out the game’s final seconds.

When it was over, the Knights celebrated a conference title that coach Jim Shapiro would not have predicted before the season.

“If you’d asked me (back then) I would’ve said ‘no,’” he said. “I would’ve said that we’re a .500 ballclub. But as they showed up (for preseason workouts) and the guys started working hard, and as we started to jell the last couple of weeks, we’re a championship football team.

“We’ve come a long way in the last eight weeks,” said Shapiro, whose team improved to 6-0 in league and 6-2 overall. “And we’re excited to be the Cascade league champs.”

The Knights got on the scoreboard first, mounting a 10-play, 74-yard drive on their second possession. King’s got a big break on fourth-and-six from the Archbishop Murphy 35 when the Wildcats jumped offsides, and on the next play — this time fourth-and-one — running back Andrew Cline hit a hole on the left side and then bounced outside and was in the clear for a 30-yard touchdown dash on the first play of the second quarter.

The Wildcats answered on their opening possession of the third quarter. Beginning from their own 39 after stopping King’s on downs, they needed 13 plays to reach the end zone. The big play on the march was a darting 28-yard carry by running back Taylor Gipson to the King’s 2.

Archbishop Murphy gained 1 yard on first down and lost 5 yards on second down, but on third-and-goal quarterback Nolan Rogge carried around right end and bulled his way into the end zone for the tying touchdown.

The go-ahead TD came early in the fourth quarter and capped a six-play drive that began at the King’s 10 after a Wildcat punt. On second-and-10 from the Knights’ 42, quarterback Koa Wilkins found receiver Jackson Hand behind the Archbishop Murphy secondary. Hand made the catch at the Archbishop Murphy 25 and ran untouched to the end zone.

The Knights got a huge defensive play moments later when linebacker Laka Wilkins ripped the ball away from the ball carrier and it was caught in midair by King’s defensive lineman Edmund Sundquist. Seven plays later, place-kicker Ryan Fransen booted a 30-yard field goal with 5:11 to play in the game.

Archbishop Murphy got near midfield on its final possession, but the drive ended on downs and King’s was able to run out the game’s final seconds.

“Hats off to Archbishop Murphy,” Shapiro said. “It was a (hard-fought) league championship game and that’s the way it should be. Both teams competed well and we’re proud of our kids for getting the victory.

“Our defense really won that football game for us,” he added. “And the offense made the plays we needed to have to get it done.”

Fransen, who lives in Mill Creek, said the Knights “put in a lot of work in the offseason and it feels great that it’s paid off. … I believed we had the potential (to win a league championship), but I know a lot of people doubted us. But we believed in ourselves and now it’s paid off.”

With Friday’s victory over Archbishop Murphy and an earlier win against Lakewood, King’s has clinched the league crown heading into next week’s regular-season finale against Cedar Park Christian.

At Archbishop Murphy H.S.

King’s 0 7 0 10 — 17

Archbishop Murphy 0 0 7 0 — 7

K—Andrew Cline 30 run (Jack VanDyke kick)

AM—Nolan Rogge 6 run (Ryan Henderson kick)

K—Jackson Hand 58 pass from Koa Wilkins (VanDyke kick)

K—Ryan Fransen 30 FG

Records—Archbishop Murphy 4-2 league, 6-2 overall. King’s 6-0, 6-2.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.