Lansing Everett at Waverly – – Football – – The Bleacher Denizen – – September 9, 2022 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight your Bleacher Denizen’s football journey takes him to Waverly High! (Someday, when I hit big time, I am hoping that the blogging powers that be will allow me to refer to my travels as an “odyssey!” I will KNOW I’ve made it, then!!!)

As we wait for the game to start, I hope you will enjoy this original tune from my Chuck Krafft You Tube Channel!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol3R-ZL9568

The Waverly Warriors enter the game undefeated at 2-0 and the Everett Vikings are 1-1.

I generally do at least one Waverly football game each year and it was great to see the guys in the booth again! I also love watching the Waverly Band conducted by Dave Gorbe as they always display a lot of musical skill while finding a way to put their own stamp on a lot of the songs – – either with their playing or with their marching!

The Waverly Band is led on the field by Drum Majors Sophia Brockhaus and Zoe Przystas. Emily Humphrey is the Drum Line captain and Dreim Edmonds is the Color Guard Captain. Scott Brooks is the Drum Line Instructor.

The Band came on to the field and played the Warrior Fanfare, Eat ‘Em Up and the Waverly Fight Song. They did their usual fine job with these pieces. They gave us a preview of their halftime show, “Dance Like No One is Watching.” They played the hit, “Cupid Shuffle.”

The band played the National Anthem and did a strong performance on that!

As Waverly won the coin toss, they elected to defer their decision until the second half. Everett elected to receive the opening kickoff.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the lenses of a Bleacher Denizen whose own football career was curtailed when the powers that be refused to allow him to use pepper spray while playing the offensive line.

Reece Perpich bounced his opening kickoff into the end zone, so Everett started its opening series on its own 20 yard line.

Beni Davidson gained four yards on a first down pitch to the left. Deonte Roberts made the tackle for Waverly. Braydan Butler stopped the Everett second down run into the middle for no gain. A.J. Robinson stopped Everett’s third down run for a one yard gain. Waverly had twelve men on the field at the next snap. Instead of punting, Everett had a first down on their own 30 yard line.

Nizjai Davidson completed a first down pass to Javari Funches for a two yard gain; A.J. Robinson and Braydan Butler teamed up for the Warrior tackle. Beni Davidson kept working after a couple tackle attempts and gained three yards before Cayden Bell tackled him. Nizjai Davidson’s third down screen pass to Javari Funches was good for a two yard gain before JonCarlos Salinas halted him. Nizjai Davidson went into the middle for a two yard fourth down gain to move the Vikings up to their own 41 yard line, where they had another first down.

Waverly’s defensive line played tough and stopped the Everett first down run into the middle for no gain. Waverly’s defense burst into the Everett Backfield on second down and caused a six yard loss. Waverly’s Jaylin Johnson knocked the Viking third down pass out of the air. Waverly suffered another fourth down penalty as Everett got ready to punt. Everett still needed eleven yards for a first down. Colum Shutler’s punt went out of bounds at the Waverly 43 yard line. The Warriors started their first series there.

On first down, Jahi Wood went to the left for a two yard gain before Javari Funches tackled him. Sincere Wright and Nizjai Davidson covered on Waverly’s incomplete second down pass. Waverly’s quarterback was chased out of the pocket on third down; Lajune Lubrin tackled him for a one yard loss. On fourth down, a bad snap caused Waverly’s punt to be blocked; the ball was downed at the 50 yard line, where Everett had a first down.

Justice Dungey stopped Everett’s first down run for a one yard gain. Deonte Roberts and Braydan Butler stopped Everett’s second down run in the backfield for a two yard loss. Jahi Wood knocked Everett’s third down pass harmlessly to the ground. Colum Shutler punted on fourth down; Evan Walker took the ball to the left side for an apparent gain, but after penalties were assessed, Everett had a first down on the Waverly 36 yard line.

Evan Walker’s first down run up the middle resulted in a three yard gain. On the final play of the first quarter, Evan Walker gained twelve yards on a run up the middle to give Waverly a first down on the Everett 19 yard line.

The first quarter ended with no score. Everett had a first down on the Waverly 19 yard line.

On the first play of the second quarter, Everett Quarterback Nizjai Davidson launched a nineteen yard touchdown pass to Javari Funches. There was a bad snap on the extra point that resulted in a missed kick.

With 11:54 to play in the second quarter, Everett had a 6-0 lead.

Colum Shutler kicked the ball off to the 22 yard line where Deonte Roberts went to the right sideline and gained about twenty-eight yards to give his Warriors a first down on the fifty yard line.

Jahi Wood’s first down run up the middle gained five yards before Lajune Lubrin tackled him. ON the next play, Jahi Wood went around the right end for a fourteen yard gain before Damarion Williams and Javari Funches took him down. Waverly had a first down on the Everett 31 yard line.

Jahi Wood made a nice gain on the next play before he was tackled by Nizjai Davidson and Lajune Lubrin. After a penalty was assessed against the Vikings, Waverly had a first down on the Everett 9 yard line.

Jahi Wood made a great fake and cut to the right side as he went into the end zone untouched for a nine yard Waverly touchdown. Logan Lee hiked the ball, Cortez Boyd held the ball and Reece Perpich kicked it through the uprights to give Waverly a 7-6 lead with 9:43 remaining in the first half.

Reece Perpich kicked the ball off to the 14 yard line; Sincere Wright fielded the ball and gained about 29 yards before Deonte Roberts took him down. Everett had a first down on its own 43 yard line.

Nizjai Davidson took the ball up the middle for a three yard first down gain; Robert Allen-Williams made the Waverly tackle. Cayden Bell stopped the Viking second down pitch for no gain. Jahi Wood stopped Everett’s third down running play for a one yard loss. On fourth down, Everett fumbled the ball; Waverly recovered it on its 47 yard line.

Jahi Wood went to the right and cut back to the middle for a twenty-eight yard gain. Nathaniel Benson and Damarion Williams teamed up for the Everett tackle. Waverly had a first down on the Everett 25 yard line.

Everett went offside on the first down play. On the next play, Cayden Bell went up the middle for an eight yard gain to give Waverly a first down on the Everett 12 yard line. Another Everett penalty moved the ball up to the five yard line.

On the next play, Ronnie Spencer ran a quarterback keeper to the right for a five yard touchdown.

Waverly’s extra point kick failed. With 5:11 remaining in the first half, Waverly had a 13-6 lead.

Reece Perpich booted his kickoff into the end zone and Everett started its series on its own 20 yard line.

Nizjai Davidson caused several missed tackles on his way to a fifteen yard gain before Cayden Bell finally stopped him.

Nassan Jackson’s hard hit caused Everett to drop its first down pass. Beni Davidson went to the right sideline for a seven yard gain before he stepped out of bounds. Beni Davidson took a third down pitch up the right sideline for a seven yard gain before he was forced out of bounds. Everett had a first down on their own 49 yard line.

Beni Davidson’s first down run up the middle gained four yards and moved the Vikings into Warrior territory before Lorenz Todd tackled him. Everett suffered a broken play on second down and Lorenz Todd tackled Everett’s runner for a five yard loss. Justis Ashley intercepted Everett’s third down pass and returned the ball to the Viking 35 yard line.

Ronnie Spencer went through the middle for a fifteen yard gain before Eugene Allen, Jr. tackled him.

On the next play, Lajune Lubrin sacked Waverly’s quarterback for a five yard loss. Ronnie Spencer took the ball to the left for a ten yard gain before Nizjai Jackson tackled him. When Waverly’s third down snap was fumbled, Jahi Wood recovered the ball for his Warriors. While Waverly suffered a seven yard loss, they avoided turning the ball over. A pass interference penalty on Everett gave Waverly a fourth and one on the Everett 11 yard line. Jahi Wood took the ball to the left for a ten yard gain that left Waverly on the 1 yard line.

After the Viking line stopped the Warriors on first down, Ronnie Spencer rammed the ball into the end zone for Waverly’s third touchdown. A bad snap caused Waverly’s extra point kick to be blocked.

With just 2.8 seconds left in the first half, Waverly had a 19-6 lead.

Reece Perpich kicked the ball off to the 10 yard line where it was fielded by Sincere Wright, who gained about ten yards before Kharee Davis tackled him to end the half.

Waverly took a 19-6 lead into the locker room at halftime. If normal football conventions are upheld, I predict that Waverly will also have a 19-6 lead with the third quarter opens.

Waverly’s Band came out to do its halftime show. The show was titled, “Dance Like No One is Watching.” (This is great advice, although the Bleacher Denizen’s dance moves can’t be hidden from anyone who enjoys slapstick comedy!)

They opened with “Gonna Make You Sweat” (Everybody Dance Now) by C & C Music Factory. Drum Major Sophia Brockhaus conducted the band on this one. They followed this up with “Dancing Queen” by ABBA. This, as well as the next song, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston.

The show was ended as Sophia Brockhaus conducted “The Time Warp” from the “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Waverly always has a great band. I really appreciate the precision and skill they have; this really sets up those moments where they put some creativity into the proceedings!!

Colum Shutler opened the second half for Everett by booting his kickoff to the 10 yard line where it was fielded by Mar’Tavion Robinson. Mar’Tavion Robinson returned the ball about forty-seven yards to the Everett 43 yard line before Lamar Gaines stopped him.

A penalty on the defense gave Waverly five yards. Evan Walker made a nice run to the right side. When the ball was fumbled, Waverly’s Deon Taylor knocked the ball out of bounds to avoid a Warrior turnover. Waverly had a first down on the Everett 25 yard line.

Evan Walker went to the left and gained about nine yards; a penalty on Everett moved the ball up to the Viking 8 yard line.

Waverly’s first down pass fell incomplete into the end zone. On second down, Ronnie Spencer took the ball through the middle for an eight yard touchdown. Logan Lee snapped the ball to holder Cortez Boyd as Reece Perpich booted the ball through the uprights to give Waverly a 26-6 lead with 11:19 remaining in the third quarter.

Reece Perpich kicked the ball off to the Everett 25 yard line where Beni Davidson fielded it and returned it ten yards before A.J. Robinson tackled him. Everett had a first down on its own 35 yard line.

Mar’Tavion Robinson stopped Everett’s first down run for a one yard loss. Lorenz Todd stopped the second down pith for a one yard gain. A pass interference penalty on the Warriors gave the Vikings a first down on the fifty yard line.

Justice Dungey and Lorenz Todd sacked Everett’s quarterback for an eleven yard loss on first down. Justice Dungey tackled Everett’s second down runner for a one yard gain. Deon Taylor covered for Waverly on Everett’s incomplete third down pass. Colum Shutler’s fourth down punt went out of bounds on the Waverly 30 yard line; the Warriors started their series there.

An illegal motion penalty on first down cost the Warriors five yards. Jahi Wood went to the left for a six yard gain before he was tackled by Eugene Allen, Jr. Sincere Wright covered on Waverly’s incomplete second down pass. Waverly’s third down runner slipped and the play was stopped for no gain. Deunte Phifer punted for Waverly on fourth down. Nathaniel Benson made a fair catch for Everett on the Viking 35 yard line.

Lorenz Todd got into the backfield to force Everett into a six yard first down loss. Nizjai Davidson was chased out of the pocket on second down; he gained eighteen yards to earn a first down for the Vikings before he was tackled by Nassan Jackson and Justis Ashley.

Beni Davidson took a first down pitch to the right for a four yard gain. On second down Beni Davidson took another pitch for a six yard gain and a first down on Waverly’s 43 yard line. Evan Walker made the tackle for Waverly.

Javari Funches took a pitch to the right for a six yard first down gain. On second down, Javari Funches gained eight yards to give his Vikings a first down on Waverly’s 29 yard line.

Nizjai Davidson gained three yards on a first down run before Mar’Tavion Robinson tackled him. On the final play of the third quarter, a phalanx of Warriors stopped Everett’s second down run for a one yard gain.

Waverly led 26-6 going into the fourth quarter.

On the first play of the final quarter, Nizjai Davidson completed a third down pass to Javari Funches, but Mark Morrison stopped the play for no gain. A penalty gave Everett five yards, but it was not enough for a first down; Everett still needed one more yard. Mar’Tavion Robinson stopped Everett’s fourth down pitch play for now gain. Waverly took over the ball on downs on its own 20 yard line.

Waverly completed a screen pass from Ronnie Spencer to Evan Walker on its first down play, but Eugene Allen, Jr. stopped the play for a one yard loss. Deonte Roberts’ second down plunge into the middle earned five yards. A pass interference penalty gave Waverly a first down on their own 39 yard line.

On first down, Waverly completed another screen pass from Ronnie Spencer to Evan Walker, but Damarion Williams stopped the play for a five yard loss. Ronnie Spencer was forced out of the pocket on second down, but scrambled for nineteen yards and a first down before he was forced out of bounds. Waverly had a first down in Everett territory on the 47 yard line.

Jahi Wood broke a couple tackles on his way to a two yard first down gain. Jahi Wood’s run up the middle on second down earned two yards before Antonio Williams stopped him. On third down, Jahi Wood pounded through the middle to gain the six yards Waverly needed for a first down. Saddiel Gonzalez made the tackle for Everett.

Nathaniel Benson covered on Waverly’s incomplete first down pass. Ronnie Spencer’s second down screen pass to Evan Walker on the left side earned six yards before Nizjai Davidson stopped his progress. Jeremiah Spencer went around the left end on third down for a seven yard gain; a facemask penalty on Everett ended up giving Waverly a first down on the Everett 8 yard line.

Damarion Williams covered on Waverly’s incomplete first and second down passes into the end zone. Jahi Wood gained five yards on third down before Nizjai Davidson took him down. After a penalty on Everett moved the ball to the 1 yard line, Jahi Wood powered his was for a one yard fourth down touchdown run.

Logan Lee hiked the ball to holder Cortez Boyd and Reece Perpich kicked the extra point to give Waverly a 33-6 lead with 4:32 remaining in the contest.

Reece Perpich kicked the ball to the 20 yard line where Nathaniel Benson fielded it and returned it twenty yards before Mar’Tavion Embry-Jones tackled him. Everett had a first down on their own 40 yard line.

Nizjai Davidson passed to Nathaniel Benson for a twenty-eight yard gain to give the Vikings a first down on the Waverly 32 yard line.

Maurice Hills and Jo’Zerick Brown covered for Waverly on Everett’s incomplete first down pass. Nizjai Davidson completed a thirty yard pass to Justis Ashley on the Waverly 2 yard line.

After a Waverly penalty moved Everett to the one yard line, Nizjai Davidson plunged into the middle to get a one yard touchdown for his Vikings. Sincere Wright took a pitch and ran for a successful two point conversion. With 3:03 to play in the game, Waverly’s lead was at 33-14.

Colum Shutler tried an onside kick. Evan Walker fielded it at the Waverly 35 yard line and ran down the field for a 65 yard touchdown return. The extra point kick failed. With 2:46 left in the game, Waverly had a 39-14 lead.

Reece Perpich kicked the ball off to the 15 yard line. Nathaniel Benson fielded the ball and gained fifteen yards to give his Vikings a first down on their own 30 yard line.

Eugene Allen, Jr. ran the ball for a sixteen yard gain; Jeremie Bordua made the Waverly tackle.

Mark Morrison stopped Everett’s first down run for no gain. Nizjai Davidson’s second down run to the left gained three yards before Evan Walker stopped him. Damarion Williams gained nine yards on a third down run to the right to give Everett a first down in Waverly territory. Kharee Davis made the tackle for Waverly.

On the final play of the game, Damarion Williams went to the right for a short gain before Jeremiah Clarke tackled him.

Waverly won the game 39-14 and remains undefeated!!!