Reserves step up to help Lummi to first-round victory

The start of the 2015 football season was difficult for Lummi. Injuries and other eligibility issues limited the Blackhawks’ numbers to the point they actually had to cancel a September home game against rival Neah Bay because they simply couldn’t dress enough healthy bodies.

But there was a silver lining to come out of those struggles. Players, such as sophomore Elder Roberts, got some vital game experience when games still were competitive, allowing him to develop.

Now that Lummi’s roster is filling out, those growing pains are starting to pay dividends. Roberts stepped into the Blackhawks offensive line when teammate Keegan Jojola went down with a broken lower leg two plays into Lummi’s first round Class 1B State Playoff game and helped his team claim a surprising 50-0 win over No. 5 and previously unbeaten Evergreen Lutheran on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Bellevue.

“We had some guys definitely step up for us today,” coach Jim Sandusky said in a phone interview. “Elder Roberts stepped in and did a good job on the offensive line along with Deshaun Lawrence and Jeff Cultee, and Jeff Cultee stepped in at nose guard for us on defense and did a good job with Keegan out.”

Lummi (8-2) moves on to the state quarterfinals for the 12th straight year, where they will host Quilcene, which trounced Taholah 56-8 on Saturday. Sandusky said he didn’t have a time or date for the game, which will be played at Lummi next week.

With Roberts, Cultee and Lawrence handling pressure up front on Saturday, Trazil Lane and Hank Hoskins were able to generate plenty of offense.

Hoskins ran for 128 yards and two TDs on seven carries and caught two passes for 21 yards and another score, while Lane rushed for 71 yards on four carries and caught three passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Lawrence also recovered a fumble in the end zone on defense for another score.

Quarterback Jonathan Casimir threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns, while Raven Borsey caught three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown to help the Blackhawks take a 44-0 lead by halftime.

“I expected to win, but I thought it would be a little bit of a battle in first quarter or first half,” Sandusky said. “We came out on fire, and we made some things happen.”

This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 8:15 PM with the headline "Reserves step up to help Lummi to first-round victory."