Hazen Readies For Playoffs Following 38-7 Win Over Renton

On a night when Hazen seniors celebrated their last game at Renton Memorial Stadium, the Highlanders appeared to be in top form beating Renton 38-7 Friday night. The win gives the Highlanders (4-2 league, 5-4 overall) momentum heading into next week’s 3A quad-district playoff matchup against seventh-ranked Ferndale (8-1).

Hazen’s defense was also in top form, limiting Renton to their half of the field for much of the game. When Renton did get into Hazen’s territory penalties forced them to punt the ball. Renton’s only score came when Hazen found themselves punting from their end zone when Ernie Davis returned a 41 yard punt return.

Hazen had touchdowns from Joe Glaefke (one and four yard runs); Jordan Abdullah (4 and 75 yard runs); and Brandon Ivy (14 yard run). Kicker Sam Bunnell kicked a 35-yard field in the first quarter and went  4 for 4 on extra points.

“We want to forget the past and not look at the future,” said Hazen head coach Drew Oliver after celebrating with his seniors after the game. Oliver said his team executed their plays well and will now focus on Ferndale.

“We have had their tapes for a couple days.” The agreement between the Northwest League and Wesco League’s stated if Ferndale went undefeated in league play, they would secure the second seed. However, Ferndale lost to Lynden in week 8 giving them the third seed.

In the Renton locker room, head coach Donald Ponds told his team, “You seniors will not have a second chance against Hazen, but you do have a second chance to play next week against Bremerton. This goes for the rest of you.” Ponds had no answers as to why his team played the way they did. He gave his team a reality check and left his speech on a high note telling them “we can come back; we want to see it on the field.”

Renton’s Ernie Davis and Hazen’s Mason Jacobs earned the Seamount League Just Play Fair Award.

The Indians will travel to play Bremerton next week in the 2A playoffs. It will be Bremerton’s first appearance in the placoffs since 1993. Complete preview of Hazen’s and Renton’s playoff games will appear Friday on Renton Patch.

Official announcements of the playoffs will be announced Sunday or Monday with dates, times and locations.

Scoring Summary

First quarter

Hazen - Sam Bunnell 35 FG

Hazen - Joe Glaefke 1 run (Bunnell kick)

Second quarter

Hazen -Jordan Abdullah 4 run (Bunnell kick)

Third quarter

Hazen - Glaefke 4 run (Bunnell kick)

Hazen - Abdullah 75 run (Bunnell kick)

Fourth quarter

Hazen - Brandon Ivy 14 run (Bunnell kick)

Renton - Ernie Davis 41 punt return (Uriel Gonzales kick)