Class 4A quarterfinal football capsule
Ferris (8-3) at Eisenhower (11-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m., Zaepfel Stadium, Yakima
About Ferris – The Saxons from Spokane are aiming for a repeat trip to the state semifinals. After three close losses in the regular season, Ferris was forced to win a league tiebreaker to get into the postseason. Once there, Ferris got rolling, knocking off previously unbeaten Wenatchee on the road then beating Kamiakin last week, 41-16. Quarterback Connor Halliday has been a Ferris force. Halliday, who’s headed to Washington State University, led the Greater Spokane League in passing this season with 2,255 yards and 20 touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior is up to 32 touchdowns now. This is Halliday’s second season of more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. He passed for 307 yards and four touchdowns against Kamiakin and has been routinely over 300 yards in the air this season. His main receiver has been GSL-leader Jason Bates, a big target at 6-4, 185 pounds. Bates has 84 catches for 1,339 yards and 17 touchdowns.
About Ferris’ coach – Jim Sharkey is in his fourth season at Ferris. His Saxons lost to Skyline in the state semifinals last season after the Spartans rallied in the second half.
About Eisenhower – The Cadets are having their best season since 1992 and are in the quarterfinals for only the second time. They finished No. 1 in offense in the Columbia Basin Big Nine League, averaging 374 yards per game. Eisenhower has shown that it can explosive on the ground and through the air. Senior running back Joe Fuerst has rushed for 1,623 yards on 234 carries. Quarterback James Lopez has completed 87 of 171 passes for 1,699 yards and 15 touchdowns and has two big-play receivers in Antonio Martinez (34 catches, 853 yards, 10 TDs) and Asysa Morioka (27 catches, 519 yards, 12 TDs). Defensively, end Ryan Watson is having a big season with 21 tackles for losses and linebacker Seth Kline is a three-time unanimous all-league selection.
About Eisenhower’s coach – Dan Eyman is in his eighth season at Eisenhower. He is a product of West Valley High School in Yakima and Eastern Washington University.
Dan Eyman on Ferris: “Ferris has shown itself to be an eastside power year in and year out. Great defense and an even better offense. The Ferris quarterback is incredible at getting a ball into a small place.”
The pick– This is a painfully tough pick with two very solid teams. At this stage, playoff experience is often a big factor. Ferris, 27-17.
Ron Newberry, CoachesAid.com
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