HS Football: Emerald Ridge Head Coach Torey Donovan earns first win in victory over Kentwood

9/6/2024

Emerald Ridge 24, Kentwood 6

(Kent, WA) The Emerald Ridge Jaguars heard time and time again in the offseason about the roster turnover they have undergone, and how expectations are low for them, new head coach Torey Donovan made sure the winning tradition continued Friday night in a 24-6 win. The ER win marked the first win in the head coaching career of Torey Donovan who was doused with a Gatorade shower after the victory.

The Jaguars wasted no time jumping out to an early lead with Malcolm Akuffo scoring on the opening drive from 29 yards out 2:41 into the game to go up 6-0 after a failed point after.

After forcing a Kentwood punt, the Jags’ Logan Lipscomb began a big night with a 16-yard touchdown catch from Ben Druckman, increasing their lead to 12-0. Druckman would throw his second touchdown of the half to Zab Zenkner, the Jaguars led 18-0 after the3ir 3rd PAT of the game. Before the gamer we talked with Coach Donovan who has been impressed with Druckman’s qualities of being ER’s signal caller emphasizing his football IQ.

Aftert struggling to find their rhythm the Conks puut it all together near the end of the half. A big defensi ve play set up t heir 1st touchdown of the season when they recovered a muffed punt. Kentwood got the ball on the E-R 44 and wasted no time in making the Jags pay for it. QB Brandon Tagle found Treyvon Mayfield wide open about 25 yards down the field. Mayfield took it from there and ran it in for the touchdown and trim the deficit to 18-6 going into the half.

The second half was sloppy as both teams turned the ball over several times. Finally, late in the game, Emerald Ridge put the game away. Starting from the Kentwood 34 decided to go for it on 4^th and 10, it was then the decision making shined as Druckman found Lipscomb for his second touchdown for the final 24-6 score.

Kentwood did respond when star running back Antoine Lee went 58-yards for a touchdown with a spectacular run including breaking 3 tackles but the yellow flag would take the points off the board and the Emerald Ridge defense would shutout the Conks for the rest of the night. In an odd note, all five extra points attempted were missed in the game.

Our Cole Health MVP of the game went to Logan Lipscomb. Emerald Ridge is now 1-0 and will play Thursday at home against Bethel at 7:00 a game found here on ESN. Kentwood begins 0-1 and travels Friday to face Spanaway Lake at 7:00.

Link to watch full game replay on the NFHS (Subscription required)