Extra Point

By Justin Damasiewicz

The Montesano Bulldogs are working their way down their 2017 season checklist.

Beat Hoquiam in the Grays Harbor Red Rivalry game. Check.

The Grizzlies came to Jack Rottle Field on Oct. 13 and the Bulldogs disposed of them 35-13.

Win the Evergreen 1A League title. Check.

Monte cleared that hurdle with 54-0 win over Tenino on Oct. 20.

Complete the regular season undefeated. Check.

Last Friday’s 51-0 rout of Elma at Davis Field in the East County Civil War game was the final exclamation point on an unblemished regular season.

What’s left?

Lock up a spot in the state playoffs, win a state playoff game, earn a trip to the Tacoma Dome, advance to the title game, then win a state championship.

The Bulldogs hope to check each one of those boxes within the next month.

We have all watched as Montesano’s football program seems to reload with talented, well-coached players year after year. They have given their fans a lot to cheer about over the last several seasons.

However, some teams seem more likely to make some serious noise in the state playoffs. This is one of those teams.

When you get to the state tourney, the best you can hope for is a manageable first-round draw. Every game after that will be a battle.

So, as much as I love to look into the future and try to project how good the Bulldogs will be for the next couple of years, I am also very focused on the team that is in front of us and hoping they will reach their highest potential.

I’ve been saying it for the last several weeks. This team is special.

This year’s squad has a great mix of experienced seniors – especially at key skill positions – and talented underclassmen.

Some players were of known quantity. Your returning starters like Trevor Ridgway, Carson Klinger, Dakoyta Reninger and Jared Wallace. Others have burst onto the scene and had a tremendous impact, such as: Teegan Zillyett, Kobe Gallinger, Sam Winter, Ben Sowers and Kooper Karaffa, just to name a few.

I’m sure next season Montesano will be just fine, but there has been quite a bit of build-up to this season and seeing how far these boys can advance.

They have shouldered that load, focused on the task in front of them each week and given their fans a great show.

The Bulldogs have initiated the 40-point, running-clock mercy rule three times this season and have won every game by more than 20 points while outscoring their opponents by an average of 36 points.

Montesano’s defense has allowed an impressively low 8.2 points per game this season and has shut out its last two opponents.

The regular season as a whole was a dominant performance by the Bulldogs.

This week, fourth-ranked Montesano will host Stevenson in a loser-out district crossover game for a berth in the state tournament.

I didn’t spend much time researching Stevenson because the outcome seems pre-determined.

I mean, I guess anything can happen, but if Stevenson beats Montesano on Friday, it would be an upset of epic proportions.

Stevenson – also the Bulldogs – finished third in the Trico League with a record of 2-2.

A quick look at common opponents tells you pretty much everything you need to know.

Stevenson lost to Castle Rock 24-15 on Oct. 13. Montesano blasted the Rockets 47-0 on Sep. 15.

Stevenson edged Tenino 20-12 on Sep. 22. As I already mentioned, Montesano crushed the Beavers 54-0 on Oct. 20.

This should be an easy win for Monte. Not only do they have a significantly more impressive resume, but Montesano has proven week in and week out that they do not take underdog opponents lightly.

So, let’s get past the Bulldog-on-Bulldog matchup this week and figure out who Montesano’s state-opening opponent will be.

Go ’Dogs!