Connell Eagles - 1A Football State Champs 2011

They did it! It was an exciting game. Connell defeated Cascade Christian 28-7 (the same score when we won in 2009) All of the Eagles played AWESOME! It was so fun and stressful to watch. Kade had the best game of his HS career but broke his collar bone with 2 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. He had a TD and just completed his 3rd interception (tying the record for WIAA state game) and landed on his shoulder and then the receiver landed on top of him. He was out the rest of the game. Connell has an excellent coaching staff who truly care for these boys on and off the field. It's great to be an Eagle!You can see the swelling where we think the break is. You can feel/see the bone sticking up. Kade as a Dr. appt tomorrow and the doc penciled him in for surgery on Thursday if he needs it. We are praying for a speedy recovery so Kade can get back to basketball, his true love.

Connell beats Cascade Christian 28-7 for 1A state title
By Craig Craker, Tri-City Herald

TACOMA -- Matt Hadley knew the game was over as soon as he hit the corner.
The two-time Class 1A state player of the year scored untouched on a 70-yard run to salt away another state title for the Connell Eagles on Saturday.
The Eagles won the third title in program history, manhandling Cascade Christian 28-7 at the Tacoma Dome.
"There is no better way to finish off a career," Hadley said. "With these guys, my best friends. No better way."
Hadley showed why he is one of the best players in the state early in the fourth quarter.
With the Eagles clinging to a 21-7 lead, Cascade Christian had first-and-goal inside the 5. On second down, Hadley came up from his safety position to stick Alex Milton for a two-yard loss. After a third down gained nothing, Hadley showed why he is headed to BYU next year.
Cougars quarterback Jaelin Goldsmith rolled out to pass and Hadley picked him off at the goal line.
"I actually got beat on that at first," Hadley said. "Then I was able to recover and jump the route."
The Eagles then traded punts with the Cougars, setting up Hadley's long run through the right side.
"That's what 1A players of the year do," Connell coach Wayne Riner said. "Big players make big plays."
Hadley finished with 168 yards and three touchdowns, giving him 124 career touchdowns and eight touchdowns in state title games. He finishes his high school career with the career touchdown record and the career points record, as well as the second most rushing yards in a career.
While Hadley had his typical monster game Saturday, capping off a remarkable career, the rest of his teammates also came to play.
Kade Eppich intercepted three passes before leaving with a broken collarbone. Tyson Brook had three sacks. The offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage after a slow start. Chandler Salisbury was efficient as always under center.
"That's what you want," Riner said. "You have that experience and they all stepped up."
Connell, which lost the 2010 title to Cascade Christian, seemed determined to not go out the same way.
With the game tied 7-7 late in the first half, Salisbury found Eppich coming back to the ball about 15 yards down the field.
After the defender fell down, Eppich was off to the races for a decisive touchdown sending the Eagles into halftime with a 14-7 lead.
"That was a huge play on Kade's part," Salisbury said. "That's just a first down play and Kade broke away and was able to score."
With Riner preaching the importance of the first five minutes out of halftime, the Eagles defense came out strong forcing a punt.
On the ensuing possession, Salisbury found both Eppich and Ryan Heinen for double-digit gains and after a Salisbury 12-yard run, Hadley did his thing.
On an option pitch, Hadley ran over three Cougars' defenders and then danced down the sideline for a 40-yard touchdown and a 21-7 lead.
Two plays later, Eppich picked off his third pass of the game and most likely broke his collarbone on the play.
"The quarterback was looking at his receivers," Eppich said of his picks, which tie a Class 1A state title game record. "That's just being a freshman. I just followed his eyes and he took me where I needed to go."
The victory caps a 38-3 run for the Eagles and three state title game appearances and two titles. A remarkable run helped by Hadley, Salisbury, Brook and Kennan Vanhollebeke, all three-year starters.
"I think (the experience) played a huge part," Salisbury said. "I remember my sophomore year, I was a nervous wreck. Now, it's like playing at home. We have experience here."
Salisbury finished 8-for-17 for 107 yards with an interception. He left late in the fourth quarter with a possibly sprained knee. Eppich had four receptions for 72 yards, while Ryan Heinen had four catches for 35 yards.
"I didn't want the same thing to happen as last year," Eppich said. "We knew what we had to do and we came out and did that. It's a great feeling knowing all your hard work has paid off."