PHOTOS BY JOHN LARSON

Chris Finlayson (West #86) charges after East running back Hector Ledezma of Royal.

Two Trojans enjoy an all-star week

By John Larson

Chris Finlayson and Tyler Cardin capped their Fife High School football careers June 21 when they played on the west squad in the Earl Barden Classic, the all-star game for players in the 2A, 1A, 2B and 1B classifications across the state. The game was held at Zaepfel Stadium at Eisenhower High School in Yakima. It was a grind-it-out, low-scoring contest, with the east all-stars coming out on top 17-6.

The west drew first blood when Griffin Squires, a quarterback from Chehalis, connected with Ryan Gaylord, a wide receiver from Lynden, on a 21-yard touchdown pass. A two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

Lucas McComas put the east on the scoreboard with a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter that made it 6-3 in favor of the west.

West defensive back Justin Erickson, from Eatonville, halted the next east drive when he intercepted a pass. The ensuing west drive stalled and they punted.

The east marched downfield, capping the drive with quarterback Kevin Baffney finding Lucas Fox in the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown pass. A kick by McComas put the east up 10-6, a lead they took into the locker room at halftime.

Finlayson’s big first-half highlight was a quarterback sack.

He got another on the east’s first drive of the third quarter when he went out to cover a receiver and broke up a pass on second down. Cardin, playing defensive back, broke up a long pass on the next play that forced the east to punt.

The west started its next possession on its own 20. They mounted a drive into east territory. On fourth down with four yards to go, Squires threw a pass to Reese Baumann, a tight end from Tenino. He was hit hard as he tried to catch the ball but managed to hold on for a first down. A few plays later the west faced fourth down and 12. Again they went for it but the pass was incomplete and the east took possession at their own 27.

Brady Bomber, a defensive back from Lynden, promptly got the ball back for the west when he picked off a pass and ran it back to the east 17. Once again the west squad faced fourth and 12 and the drive ended with an incomplete pass.

Early in the fourth quarter the east mounted a drive that took them deep into west territory. Cardin had a big solo tackle on one play. On third down he broke up a pass in the end zone. The east attempted a field goal that was wide right.

The west began their next drive at the 20. Unable to move the ball, they lined up for a punt on fourth down. The snap sailed over the head of punter Robbie Elliott from Adna. He attempted to fall on it in the end zone but Tyler Moos from the east squad beat him to it, recovering the ball for a touchdown. The point-after attempt made it 17-6.

Cardin rotated in at running back, getting three yards on two carries. He also returned kicks in the contest.

Players on both teams spent the week in Yakima, staying in dormitories at Yakima Valley Community College.

“This is a great bunch of guys here. We had a good time hanging out and playing football,” said Finlayson.

He and Cardin will both be attending Central Washington University this fall on football scholarships.

Finlayson expects to play outside linebacker at Central. He said it will be different from high school because he will only be playing defense, as opposed to both sides of the ball. He is prepared for a more intense training regimen. “It will be more time in the weight room,” he remarked.

“It was an awesome experience,” Cardin said of his week in Yakima. “I was able to play with the best in the state.”

“It is good to see all the family and friends here in the stands,” he added. “That gives me that extra burst of momentum.”

He looks forward to going to Central, which he describes as “a lifelong dream. I never thought I would have a chance to play college ball. Plus I will be there with a good friend.”

While Cardin excelled at running back for the Trojans, he said he is open to playing any position for Central. “I am going to play wherever they want me.”

Fife head coach Kent Nevin was among the local residents who traveled to Yakima for the game.

“They are very proud they got to represent Fife,” he said of his two players.

Nevin noted Cardin returned kicks for the Trojans in 2007 and feels this skill could get him some playing time at Central. He also expects the Wildcats will use Cardin as a wide receiver out of the slot.

Nevin feels Finlayson’s size – 6’6” and 220 pounds – is ideal for outside linebacker.

The coaches at Central appreciate his enthusiastic approach to football, according to Nevin. “They like his motor. He never stops.”

He noted the hard work both players put into training in the weight room last summer. “They were leaders for us last year,” Nevin said. “They have a great work ethic and it is paying off.”

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