Warriors on verge of clinching playoff berth

Clover Park reeled off two consecutive Class 2A South Puget Sound League victories before its final game of the season against Steilacoom. They beat White River 45-13 on the road last Friday and handled Washington during homecoming at Harry Lang Stadium two weeks ago.

If they beat Steilacoom at 7 p.m. on Friday at home, they will clinch the No. 1 seed and play the winner of the Olympic League No. 4 vs. Seamont No. 3 in a loser out, winner-to-state crossover playoff game. It's been six years since the Warriors have advanced to the playoffs.

If they lose and Sumner, Eatonville and Franklin Pierce all win they are eliminated.

Coming off a loss to SPSL 2A top ranked Eatonville on Oct. 8, the Warriors (4-4 overall, 4-3 league) thumped the Patriots (3-5 overall, 3-3 league)  50-24 during their homecoming game at Harry Lang Stadium.

Clover Park senior quarterback Tana Pritchard has had a lot to do with the team's success. Pritchard — who has given a verbal commitment to play for Washington State University — scored five touchdowns and gained more than 200 all-purpose yards.

"Our coaching staff had us focus on trusting our own capabilities and I feel like we did that," Pritchard said.

Pritchard threw three touchdowns and ran for two. He tossed a 50-yard bomb to 6 foot, 3 inch senior wide receiver Malcolm Brown for a 35-8 lead going into the half.

Brown said the offense was clicking on all cylinders.

"This victory means so much," Brown said who caught two passes for 64 yards and a pair of TDs. "When we're at home, it's a different attitude. It's our house and we like to defend it."

Not only was Clover Park's offense clicking, but their defense kept Washington in check throughout most of the game. The Patriots scored on their opening drive, but then the Warriors began to roll, scoring 42 unanswered points.

The Patriots scored two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but the contest had been decided.

Clover Park junior running back DeShawn Green finished with 149 yards on 20 carries and scored a touchdown. He fumbled the ball early in the game but did a better job of protecting it when bursting through the gaps and breaking it to the outside.

Jonathan Randall, Clover Park's head coach, missed the game because of a family member's illness. Pritchard said they dedicated the game to him. He said the defense was really fired up about playing for Randall and his families' health.

Pritchard's father and assistant coach David stepped in for Randall. He said it was a great coming together for the team.

"It was great to go out and put together a true team effort," David Pritchard said.

Kickoff against Steilacoom is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Harry Lang Stadium.