Meridian ends Granite Falls playoff run with 35-21 victory

Granite Falls drew level midway through the third quarter before Meridian took control for a 35-21 victory in their 1A Round of 32 football playoff game Friday, Nov. 6, in Bellingham. The Tigers finished 6-4, while Meridian advanced to the 12-team WIAA state bracket.

Blake Hudson brought Granite Falls even at 14-14 with a 23-yard touchdown run with 5:44 remaining in the third quarter. Meridian answered with three consecutive touchdowns. Trey Alexander led the winning offense, completing 18 of 30 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns while adding 41 yards and another score on 11 rushing attempts.

Senior running back Beau Everson closed his high school career with 93 rushing yards on 15 carries and 110 receiving yards on five catches, including a touchdown. His 15-yard scoring reception from Jaxx Goldsmith put Granite Falls on the scoreboard with 41 seconds left before halftime. All Round of 32 contests were elimination games, with a WIAA committee responsible for seeding the winners into the next bracket.

In Friday’s 4A Round of 32 action, Lake Stevens defeated Lake Washington 58-13, Glacier Peak beat Woodinville 49-6 and Kennedy topped Arlington 62-35. Archbishop Murphy recorded a 63-21 victory over Hockinson in the 2A Round of 32.

The Friday 3A results included Meadowdale’s 28-14 win over Evergreen of Vancouver and Snohomish’s 55-44 victory against Seattle Prep. Rainier Beach defeated Mountlake Terrace 40-7, and O’Dea beat Everett 58-12. On Saturday, Nov. 7, Stanwood won 70-22 against Walla Walla in 3A, while King’s defeated Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls 16-8 in 1A.

Darrington earned a 32-26 victory over Chief Leschi in Friday’s 1B district crossover. Carter Snel carried 10 times for 139 yards and scored two touchdowns for the Loggers. In a non-league game that night, Shorecrest defeated Cascade 35-16.

Thursday’s non-league schedule featured Monroe’s 49-21 win over Shorewood, with both teams ending the season at 6-4. Monroe senior quarterback Chris Britt accounted for all seven touchdowns, throwing for four and rushing for three. He completed 28 of 39 passes for 353 yards with three interceptions, gained 122 yards on 19 carries and intercepted two passes on defense.

Carson Cox caught eight passes for 142 yards and a touchdown as Monroe outgained Shorewood 538 yards to 241. Elsewhere Thursday, Lynnwood beat Jackson 22-17, Oak Harbor defeated Marysville Pilchuck 50-3 and Marysville Getchell edged Lakewood 43-42. A score was not reported for Redmond at Kamiak.