Gellatly propels Issaquah's victory

KENT — After a season full of frustration, Issaquah running back Grant Gellatly was finally able to play a full game.

Kentwood never found an answer.

The senior, who has been hampered with hamstring injuries since the first day of practice, rushed for 150 yards and five touchdowns on 23 carries. He led the Eagles to a 42-10 victory over Kentwood in the preliminary round of 32 on Friday night at French Field.

"It's indescribable," the senior said. "It's great to be out here with these guys. It's frustrating sitting on the sidelines."

The Eagles advance to the first round of the playoffs next week against today's winner between Jackson and Eastlake.

"He's just so versatile," Issaquah coach Chris Bennett said. "He makes guys miss. He breaks tackles. We've relied on Taylor Wyman this year and he's done a great job for us, but playing without Grant has been tough."

The Conquerors (7-3) got off to a strong start, marching right down the field on their first drive. However, the Eagles held them to a field goal. Then, on Kentwood's second drive, Issaquah stopped them on fourth-and-one from the Eagles' 15-yard line.

On the next play, Issaquah (7-3) ripped off a 40-yard run by Wyman and there was a 15-yard penalty tacked onto the end of the run. Gellatly then hit a hole for 28 yards and scored on the following play.

Kentwood muffed the kickoff and Issaquah recovered, setting up Gellatly's second score. The Eagles led a 21-10 at the half and put the game away in the third quarter, outscoring the Conquerors 21-0.

Gellatly said he is about 90 percent healthy after working through injuries to both hamstrings.

"I felt pretty good cutting and stuff, but I felt like when I got in the open field I couldn't get to full speed," Gellatly said. "There's still room for improvement."

Quarterback Ryan Bergman hit Evan Peterson on a 77-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the third quarter and Gellatly added two more TDs.

"I told my team, 'Let's come out hard, let's punish these guys,' " said Kentwood quarterback Tristan Askew, who completed several big first-half passes to keep the Conquerors in the game in the first half. "That's what we tried to do."

But on a night when rain came down hard throughout the game, Gellatly made sure the Eagles' season continues.