KingCo 4A | Eastlake earns state-playoff trip with 55-41 win

SAMMAMISH — When Kelby McCorkle first heard his name screamed on the sideline, he got ready to go in as a receiver. Then he saw teammate Drake Furcini walking off the field, holding his shoulder, and McCorkle knew different.

With a playoff spot on the line, he was going in at quarterback.

With his first four passes, McCorkle reminded Eastlake coaches why they're so comfortable with their backup. And after the Wolves outlasted Roosevelt 55-41 Friday night in a winner-to-state game, Eastlake will be relying on McCorkle again.

Furcini suffered a fractured collarbone and will be out for at least next week's game. The Wolves (6-3) play at second-ranked Olympia (9-0) Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

"With him, we don't have to change anything we do on offense," Eastlake coach Gene Dales said of McCorkle. "We go with him now, and I have a lot of confidence in him."

McCorkle completed his first two passes, leading to a go-ahead touchdown. His third, a 72-yard touchdown to Jeff Grotjahn, gave Eastlake a 21-7 halftime lead. McCorkle completed 9 of 12 passes for 223 yards. Grotjahn had five catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns.

Roosevelt (5-4), seeking its first playoff trip since 1984, didn't fall easily. The Roughriders scored on touchdowns of 69, 65 and 25 yards in the second half. Quarterback Nick Foster produced touchdowns four different ways: a pass, run, reception and a fumble recovery.

"I'm as proud of them as I've been all year," Roosevelt coach Jeff Ware said.

But Eastlake countered each Roosevelt score. Stephen Nasca got two of his three rushing touchdowns in the second half.

"When we have our guys healthy, we're a pretty good offense," Dales said. "We've got to get better in the playoffs at stopping people or we won't be playing long."