If Meridian senior Ryan Clark has learned anything from playing football with Zach Slesk all these years it's that if you get open the Trojan quarterback is probably going to get you the ball.
That, and you can never give up on a play when you have a player like Slesk under center. As a receiver, Clark couldn't ask for anything more.
"There are a lot of times when we'll just break off our routes and sit in an open spot," Clark said in a phone interview. "If you're open he'll find a way to get it to you."Whether it's sitting in the soft spot of zone coverage or separating from a pressing cornerback, Clark has been finding himself open a lot this season. In Meridian's last two playoffs wins he's hauled in 14 catches for 206 yards and four touchdowns. For the season, Clark has 35 catches for 591 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Those numbers aren't too shabby for a player who is part of arguably one of the top receiving trios in the state. Clark, along with seniors Tait Slesk and Mitchell Tripp, have combined for 131 catches, 35 touchdowns and nearly 2,300 yards. While Tripp has been hobbled by injury the last two weeks Clark has stepped up to fill the void.
"All of us have been playing football together for a long time," Clark said. "If one of us is covered that means somebody else is open. We have our different spots and different patterns and a lot of chances to make plays. Every week one of our receivers has a big game."
Second-ranked Meridian takes its show on the road this week when it travels to King's High School for a Class 1A state quarterfinal game. As much as these Trojan seniors have terrorized opponents around Whatcom County over the years, this group still has never reached the Tacoma Dome for a football game.
That would all change with a win on Saturday, Nov. 20, over the No. 6 Knights.
"King's is going to be the toughest team that we've played up to this point," Clark said. "They are big and fast and their quarterback, Thomas Vincent, is a special player. We've watched him on film and it looks like nobody can tackle him."
If any team is going to figure out a way to keep Vincent in check it's probably the Trojans. Meridian's defense has allowed just 90 points and hasn't yielded more than 100 yards on the ground since the fifth week of the season.
Last week Vincent rushed for 270 yards in the Knights' 35-20 win over Montesano, so something will have to give in this contest. Clark hopes it's not Meridian's hope of winning a state title.
"We set up goals each week and our goal for this week is to get to the Tacoma Dome," Clark said. "Winning a state title is always the ultimate goal, but first we have to get there."
If the Trojans (11-0) can win their next three games they'll join a select group around Laurel. Meridian has captured three state titles in its history, the most recent coming in 2006, and that means bragging rights among its tight alumni base.
"If you're a Meridian football player that means you're part of a pretty close knit group," Clark said. "We have a lot of passionate fans and former players, but you can tell that those guys from the state championship teams are just a little bit closer than some of the other ones."
Clark said he'd trade all the catches, touchdowns, and tackles for a championship. It's a dream he and many of the Trojans have had since they started playing football together in the fourth grade.
"I don't care about having a big game as long as we're winning," Clark said. "If we're doing that then I'm happy."