Listed at 5-foot-9, 160 pounds, Adam Dondoyano is one of Issaquah’s smallest players, but Friday night he came up with the Eagles’ biggest play of the season.
With 1.3 seconds remaining, and protecting a one-touchdown lead, the junior defensive back placed himself perfectly between a pass from Woodinville quarterback Brett Arrivey and 6-foot-2 wide receiver Taylor Tarabocia. Dondoyano’s blanket coverage forced an incompletion in the end zone, and sealed a 28-21 win over the Falcons in a loser-out, KingCo 4A crossover game.
“I saw them attacking the other corner and I realized that they would probably come to my side next time,” Dondoyano said. “I just saw (the ball) come out and I went up there and I made the play.”
The deflected pass advanced Issaquah (6-3) to the state-qualifying round of the 4A state playoffs. They will enter as the No. 3 from the KingCo 4A and travel to face the SPSL North No. 2, Kentwood, at 7:30 p.m., Friday.
Issaquah head coach Chris Bennett certainly wasn’t thinking about the next opponent immediately after Friday’s win — he was just thankful to be moving on.
“We go from having a chance to go up 35-7, to them throwing in the end zone for a chance to tie it and go to overtime,” said Bennett, referring to Issaquah’s 28-7 lead after three quarters.
Woodinville, which struggled to find a consistent offensive flow through the first three quarters, suddenly found itself in the fourth. Arrivey, who completed 15 of 24 passes for 132 yards, hit wide receiver Ryland Longoni for a 2-yard TD with 9:21 left in the game. A bang-bang set of plays, which included a successful onside kick and a 35-yard TD pass from Arrivey to Longoni, pushed the score to 28-21 with 9:10 remaining.
“We got too complacent, the energy went down,” Dondoyano said.
Energy certainly wasn’t something the Eagles lacked in the second or third quarter as they picked apart the Falcon defense, and allowed little on defense.
Quarterback Ryan Bergman, who completed 15 of 29 passes for 270 yards, was on fire. He opened the floodgates with a 33-yard laser for a touchdown to Mitchell Bair at the 8:57 mark of the second quarter. He then hit junior Evan Peterson on a 9-yard fade to the left corner of the end zone, taking a 14-7 advantage right before halftime.
Bergman continued to pick apart the Falcons. On the first play of the second half, he ran a play-action fake, then sailed the ball approximately 45 yards through the air, right into the arms of Peterson who broke free for a 65-yard TD and a 21-7 lead. The duo connected again on a 24-yard TD later in the quarter. Peterson had eight catches for 170 yards to go along with his three TDs.
“All during the summer we’d throw our routes just about every single day for a couple of hours,” Bergman said. “We’re on the same page. He’s a great receiver and I love throwing to him.”
Bennett was pleased with his team’s ability to ultimately get the job done, but limiting mistakes and finishing strong will be an emphasis headed into next week.
“We obviously need to improve off of this film,” he said.
Fortunately for Bennett, his players are on the same page.
“We’re excited that we won, but still we’re not close to where we want to be — not even near where we want to be,” Bergman said.
Of note:The wind was playing tricks with the punting game of both teams on Friday. Woodinville quarterback Brett Arrivey had a 79-yard punt, surprising the Issaquah defense on third down. The kick from his own 21 bounced at the Issaquah 20 and rolled down to the 1-yard line. Punting into the wind, Issaquah’s Taylor Wyman had a punt of 0 yards. He downed his own punt.
Chris Bennett said he hopes to have running back Grant Gellatly back in the lineup and ready to go next week. Gellatly, who has missed the majority of the season with hamstring injuries, was available for emergency services against Woodinville.
“Next week we’re really hoping he’s going to be a go,” Bennett said. “I really think that in order for us to keep moving on deeper we’re going to need him. Hopefully, for his sake, he can get it squared away.”
