By Doug Petrowski

A 52-yard pass completion on third-and-12 set up Meadowdale sophomore Brett Schafer’s winning 29-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining in the game, giving the Mavericks a 17-14 victory over the Mountlake Terrace Hawks Friday night at Edmonds Stadium.

The loss drops the Hawks season record to 2-4, while Meadowdale remains undefeated at 6-0.

The Mavericks had begun their game-winning drive at the Hawks 31-yard line with just 1:19 remaining in the game.

With the score tied at 14 at halftime, Mountlake Terrace had plenty of opportunities to take a second-half lead, taking the ball deep into Maverick territory with each of their four possessions. But three interceptions and losing the ball on downs killed the Hawks’ chances to put points on the board.

Hawk senior quarterback Beau Kennedy threw two second-half interceptions, one with 9:50 remaining in the game at the Meadowdale goal line. Junior running back Devante Downs had one of his pass attempts picked off midway through the third quarter.

Downs had a solid offensive night carrying the ball, racking up 99 yards rushing, including a 53-yarder in the second quarter that set up the Hawks’ first touchdown. Downs punched the ball into the end zone three plays later from the 1. Kennedy had the other MTHS touchdown, an eight-yard run late in the quarter.

Downs also led the team on defense with seven solo tackles, assisting on four more.

The high-scoring Mavericks carried the ball into the end zone on both of their first two possessions of the game as they chewed up large gains with their power running game. But after taking a 14-0 lead, Meadowdale penalties and turnovers gave the Hawks opportunity to get back into the game.

Late in the fourth quarter, it was an illegal-procedure penalty that may have ultimately prevented Mountlake Terrace from a dramatic homecoming night victory over the sixth-ranked Mavericks. On a fourth-and-an-inch to go with 1:24 left on the Meadowdale 26-yard line, the left side of the Hawk offensive line jumped offside. Kennedy’s pass on the ensuing fourth-and-five play dropped incomplete, giving the Mavericks the ball for their game-winning drive.

The game played out similarly to a Hawk loss to state-ranked Glacier Peak two weeks ago, during which the Grizzlies had taken a 14-0 lead early just to see MTHS roar back and almost pull off a big upset. Mountlake Terrace lost that game 16-13.

Mountlake Terrace travels to Shoreline Stadium next Friday for a 7 p.m. match-up against the 2-4 Shorecrest Scots.

Note: We’ll have additional photos of the game and the homecoming ceremony posted on Saturday.