Battle for the Bell: Kicker Ethan Moczulski plays the hero as Mt. Spokane outlasts Mead 16-9

When it comes to the “battle for the bell”, the competing teams expect a close, defensive battle between fierce rivals.

Although part of the passion and festival was missing on Friday night due to the lack of student departments due to COVID-19 protocols, the game on the pitch was everything they expected.

Hard hits. Rugged courtyards between the tackles. Plays on time. Expensive sales. Clutch occurs.

And the ringing of the bell in their new home.

Ethan Moczulski scored three field goals, including a 55-yarder in the third quarter. Spokane overtook Mead 16-9 at Union Stadium.

It was the fifth longest field goal in the history of the Greater Spokane League.

“We were able to play a few games and get enough points on the board,” said Mt. Spokane trainer Terry Cloer said. “And we finally have some field goals for ‘Chow’, but I don’t want that many in the game.”

Mt. Spokane quarterback Kellen Flanigan completed 11 of 19 passes for 117 yards, mostly in the first half, including a 26-yard touchdown pass.

Mead was led by running back Calen Shawen, who carried 24 times for 145 yards and a score.

“It was a ‘Bell’ game,” said Cloer. “This is what you expect when you show up. It’s a defensive fight and the lines have been smashing it all night. “

The decision to try the long field goal was made in the third quarter when time was running out. The Wildcats were four points ahead of fourth and seventh place on the Mead 38.

“He hit 60 and up and warm up,” Cloer said of Moczulski. “He was in my ear and told me he could reach 60 and I said, ‘No, if we run out of meters there in third place, we’re going to sting it.’ ”

“I used it to bug him,” said Moczulski. “He tried to stab it so I was just trying to get the points on the board I guess.”

After trading early punts, Mt. Spokane (4-1) benefited from a short jump to take over the Mead 43. A seven-game drive culminated in Moczukski’s 24-yard field goal.

Shawen carried 22 and 32 yards to get the Panthers (3-3) into the red zone before rolling into the end zone from 3 yards away. The extra point was blocked and Mead led 6-3.

Meads LJ Harm punted the Wildcats to their 5 and the Panthers forced fumble on a swing pass giving them an initial descent on 13th. They couldn’t take it, but Harm drilled a 25-yard field goal for a 9-3 lead with just under 5 minutes in the half.

The Wildcats got the ball late in the quarter and Aiden Prado took a short pass and slipped a couple of tackles to get 39 yards to Mead 42.

Flanigan found a wide open Jordan Sands from the 25 in the back of the end zone where he dragged a foot to stay in Bounds and the Wildcats rose 10-9 during the break.

“I was just following the ball in the air,” said Sands. “When it came down, my feet had to come in too. Let’s go.”

Shawen had 91 yards on 12 runs for Mead before halftime.

Early in the third quarter, a muffed punt recovered from Bryson Stanger put the Wildcats on Mead 19, but they had to settle for Moczulski’s 24-yard field goal.

Mead attempted a false punt on his next possession, but punter Harm was attacked before he took over the Scrimmage-Mt. Spokane border at Mead 41.

The drive was nowhere, but Moczulski stepped up to drill the 55-yard field goal and give the Wildcats a 16-9 lead.

“It was exciting,” said Moczulski. “I only practiced for this moment day after day, pretty much exactly. And just like always. “

Mead responded with a 12-game drive, but Jo Sonnichsen was fired for an 8-yard loss in third and twelfth places on Mt. Spokane 30 and had to sting.

After a three-and-off, the Panthers got the ball back at 35. Given the fourth and third at 42, Shawen was only stopped briefly and Mt. Spokane took over the downs with 3:16 left.

The wildcats backed up, but Mead dampened the boat and the mountain. Spokane fell 1:49 on the left on Mead 17 and ran out of time.