Lindbergh welcomed Marysville Getchell to the world of varsity football by beating the Chargers 40-0 Thursday night at Renton Memorial Stadium.
Lindbergh (1-0) took a 7-0 lead on the final play of the first quarter when Daniel Wiitanen broke loose from a pack of tacklers and scrambled 61 yards for a score.
The Eagles struck in the second quarter on a 31-yard rushing score from Cam Callen, then again when Matt Stuart connected with Craig Yamaguchi in the back corner of the end zone from 23 yards out.
“It’s definitely nice to get the win,” said Lindbergh coach Pat O’Grady. “The defense played awfully well.”
Marysville Getchell (0-1) was playing the first game in the school’s history and struggled. The Chargers picked up just one first down in the first half and lost yards more often than they gained them as the Eagle defensive front dominated.
“They did a great job with pressure up front, controlling the line of scrimmage,” O’Grady said.
The Lindbergh defense came up with five intereceptions and a fumble. Lindbergh’s Joe Simpson and Jayde Wiitanen each returned an interception for a touchdown. Forrest Boissonneau recovered a fumble and ran it back for a touchdown. Callen, Derrick Holt and Craig Yamaguchi also had interceptions.
“I know the struggles that we have and we’re an established program,” O’Grady said. “Their coaching staff over there they’re starting from ground zero. While that’s got to be exciting, you know there’s going to be some growing pains along the way.”
O’Grady came away impressed with the way the Chargers held up against stiff competition – Lindbergh has been to state three years straight and is a favorite in the Seamount League again.
“They played us really hard and kept it a game for quite a while,” O’Grady said. “They’ve got a good foundation built there and they’ll do well.”
If the Eagles are looking for one thing to improve heading into next week it’s execution on offense. The team had the ball on the Chargers’ one-yard line on its first drive but a bad snap pushed the offense back. Lindbergh turned the ball over on downs at the two-yard line.
The Eagles also lost a fumble into the end zone in the second quarter, resulting in a touchback.
“I’m a little disapopinted that we were as sloppy as we were on offense,” O’Grady said.
Even with a couple of minor flaws, Lindbergh looked dominant in the win and heads to Chehalis Sept. 9 for another non-league game.
Check back at RentonReporter.com for a photo slideshow from this game.
