La Center’s revenge tour continues with rout of Hoquiam

LA CENTER — What a difference a year makes.

Last season, the La Center football team struggled to replace the previous year’s senior-laden group. The Wildcats lost their first three games by a combined score of 99-34.

It was a slog.

Now, La Center is a year older, a year wiser and a year tougher.

Friday, the Wildcats dominated all facets of a 48-14 win over Hoquiam, a team that beat La Center 40-14 last year.

It was a slugging.

Quarterback Tom Lambert rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns as La Center controlled an opponent that reached the Class 1A state playoffs. Friday’s victory follows wins over 2A Woodland and Ridgefield, which both beat La Center last year.

“We were saying we’re going to build it and go next year,” senior lineman Sam Wilmot said. “It’s ring season. Let’s go.”

La Center gained 485 yards, including 408 on the ground. Bryten Schmitz, Irving Alvarez and Jeremy Humphrey also had touchdown runs for the Wildcats.

But to hear La Center’s seniors tell it, Friday’s big win was built on little improvements that have stacked up.

“It’s a lot of the small stuff and having reps,” senior lineman Max Muffett said. “It’s a big difference having guys who know what they’re doing already.”

“It’s the weight room,” added Wilmot. “Lots of time in the weight room, mental reps and film, all that good stuff.”

The Wildcats hope all those little improvements lead to big things this season.

“I feel like this was a statement to the rest of the 1A teams around the state,” Muffett said. “We’re here.”

Key Moments

Hoquiam had clawed within 13-7 and had La Center facing third and long. But an 18 yard run by Lambert and a 20-yard run by Andrew Kysar got the Wildcats rolling again. The drive ended with Schmitz’s second touchdown of the game.

The prettiest play of the game saw La Center perfectly execute an inside handoff. Lambert handed off to Schmitz, who seamlessly handed the ball to Alvarez. The elusive Alvarez dodged three defenders with some help from a downfield block by Lambert. The 34-yard touchdown gave La Center a 27-7 lead with 3:40 left in the first half.

Key Players

La Center offensive line — The La Center offensive line was stellar. Anchored by four seniors (Muffett, Wilmot, Clay Roberts and Sam Kitchel), the Wildcats’ line led to a dominating the first half. La Center averaged 10.7 yards per play over two quarters, gaining 255 yards on the ground and 77 through the air.

Tom Lambert — The La Center quarterback continued his fabulous start to the season. Friday, he rushed for 192 yards on 15 carries, giving him 402 yards and six touchdowns through three games. He also was a force on defense, making several tackles and one sack.

Quotable

“They just physically dominated the other team. There were huge holes. We just had to hit the holes.” — La Center quarterback Tom Lambert on his offensive line.

“It’s a brotherhood. We block for them. They run for us.” — La Center lineman Sam Wilmot.

LA CENTER 48, HOQUIAM 14

Hoquiam 7 0 0 7—14

La Center 13 21 14 0—48

First quarter

LC — Bryten Schmitz 1 run (Sean Fox kick)

LC — Tom Lambert 10 run (kick failed)

H — Kyle Larsen 18 pass from Dane McMillan (Trey Brydon kick)

Second quarter

LC — Schmitz 6 run (Irving Alvarez pass from Lambert)

LC — Alvarez 34 run (kick failed)

LC — Lambert 2 run (Fox kick)

Third quarter

LC — Lambert 35 run (Fox kick)

LC — Jeremy Humphrey 1 run (Fox kick)

Fourth quarter

H — McMillan 22 run (Brydon kick)

Individual statistics

RUSHING — Hoquiam: Malakai Eaton 5-(minus 2), Dane McMillan 6-(minus 20), Cameron Bumstead 2-16, Ben Estes 4-5. La Center: Bryten Schmitz 9-59, Tom Lambert 15-192, Irving Alvarez 2-58, Andrew Kysar 8-77, Jeremy Humphrey 2-9, Hunter Mallicoat 2-6, Matthew Pettit 1-3, Austin Kirk 1-4, Daniel Grauer 1-23.

PASSING — Hoquiam: Dane McMillan 14-20-1-152, Cayden Kempf 0-1-1-0. La Center: Tom Lambert 4-8-1-77.

RECEIVING — Hoquiam: Cameron Bumstead 8-64, Ben Estes 3-52, Kyle Larsen 3-35. La Center: Bryten Schmitz 2-56, Jeremy Humphrey 1-5, Andrew Scott 1-16.