Mountain View to clash with Kelso Friday

Mountain View opened Class 3A Greater St. Helens League action last week with a win over Hudson’s Bay. This week, the Thunder will play host to Kelso in GSHL action Friday.

Thunder will attempt to move to 2-0 in Class 3A Greater St. Helens League action

Mountain View Thunder (3-2, 1-0 GSHL)

Week 1: Mountain View 34, Ferris 7 Week 2: Union 26, Mountain View 21 Week 3: Mountain View 55, Battle Ground 22 Week 4: Skyview 49, Mountain View 21 Week 5: Mountain View 38, Hudson’s Bay 25 Next: vs. Kelso, 7:30 p.m. at McKenzie Stadium The Mountain View Thunder survived a thriller at Kiggins Bowl, breaking a tie with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Special teams on display:

The Thunder did not like giving up two kickoff returns for touchdowns, but they also had their own positive moments in the kicking game. Phillip Earnhardt returned a kickoff for a Mountain View touchdown and was smooth enough to turn around at about the 4-yard line to start celebrating with his teammates, running backward into the end zone. Later, Mountain View got tired of kicking it deep so instead went for a bit of a squib kick. The Thunder recovered the ball, setting up a another touchdown.

Forcing a turnover:

The first touchdown of the game came after a Hudson’s Bay turnover. Three Thunder players had key parts of that play. Payton Regas ran down the ball carrier to wrap him up. Earnhardt shook off a blocker and met Regas and the Bay player and stripped the ball, forcing a fumble. And Andrew Remlinger recovered the fumble.

Winning time:

The Thunder and Eagles were tied at 25 after a wild three quarters. It was all Mountain View in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Glen Perry Jr. scrambled for a big gain to set up first-and-goal from the 3-yard line. Couple plays later Nile Jones scored to give the Thunder the lead for good. Jones followed the blocks of Regas, playing fullback, and linemen Joey Roberts, Isaiah Payne, and Zeek Fromel. Next came the kickoff that the Thunder squibbed and recovered. Believe it was Mitchell Delmage who beat everyone else to the ball. Soon after, Jones was in the end zone again. This time, it was a 30-yard run that showcased his speed but only after his strength. Jones broke three tackles within the first seven yards of the line of scrimmage. That run gave Mountain View a two-TD lead. The defense would shut down the Eagles the rest of the way. Grant Francis and Alex Hegel knocked down passes from their defensive line spots on back-to-back plays. On Francis’ play, it easily could have been called a lateral and then a fumble because the “pass” was sideways or possibly backward. The officials did not have a good angle on it, though, so instead ruled incomplete pass. Later, Earnhardt finished the Eagles with an interception.

Coach Speak:

What did Adam Mathieson learn about his team in Week 5? “We are close to being the team that we desire to be … close, real close. The good news is we found a way to beat a quality opponent, at their place while sputtering in many facets. The key will be to continue to not allow the scoreboard to define us and to continue to improve in those areas in which we are not yet at our standard.” Mountain View takes on Kelso in a key Class 3A GSHL matchup at McKenzie Stadium on Friday. Kelso is 4-1 overall and 1-0 in league play. “It’s Kelso; well coached, disciplined, tough. It’s an exciting challenge,” Mathieson said.