Elma win rates with strangest prep finishes

Q. I can't stop thinking about that unbelievable ending to Saturday's 2A semifinal football game. The Lynden Christian quarterback thought the game was over when he reached his own end zone to take a safety as the clock ran out. He dropped the ball and started celebrating. An Elma player picked up the ball for a touchdown and the 20-19 victory. Has there been a stranger finish in a state-playoff game?

A. No. I feel awful for the quarterback, his teammates and the coaches. Hey guys, it's just a game — with complicated rules.

The wild ending brings to mind the 1981 Shadle Park-Mercer Island state-title basketball game. Shadle Park won on a disputed basket that appeared to a lot of people, including me, to be a very late shot.

Another crazy finish was at the 1988 state track meet. The power failed at Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma. The final event, the 1,600-meter relay, was run while the track was illuminated with truck and auto lights. Garfield's leadoff runner was disqualified for running out of lane in the semi-darkness and Garfield had to share the team title with Lakes.

Q. What do you think about Rainier Beach's boys basketball team being ranked No. 2 in the nation by USA Today? Is that the highest ranking by a state team?

A. I'm surprised Beach is No. 2 but figured the Vikings would be in the top 20. There always are so many good teams in Los Angeles, Texas, New York and Chicago with players who look like they are all 25 years old. Beach gets a big opportunity to justify the ranking during the holiday break when the Vikings play in a loaded national tournament in Houston that has four top-10 teams, including No. 1 Oak Hill Academy of Mouth of Wilson, Va. Beach is the second-highest nationally ranked team in state history. USA Today ranked the Mercer Island team with Brian Schwabe and Quin Snyder No. 1 in December 1984. The Islanders won the state title that season.

Q. At the end of the football regular season and the start of the playoffs, many schools play three games in nine or 10 days (Thursday or Friday, Tuesday, Saturday). I don't think this is safe. What do you think?

A. I understand your concern, but it doesn't bother me. Granted, kids are tired in the third game, but a little less speed isn't a bad thing in a collision sport. Also, remember that high-school quarters are 12 minutes instead of 15. During this three-game stretch, coaches reduce contact work and try to keep the players as fresh as possible. If you let the kids decide, they would vote to play every other day because games are more fun than practice.

Q. My daughter just lettered in swimming. Should I buy her a letterman's jacket? I was quoted a price of more than $300.

A. If she has expressed interest and it isn't a financial impossibility, bite the bullet and buy it. Or make her earn part of the money for it. A letterman's jacket represents accomplishment and confidence, two things you'd like to wrap around any kid.

Be aware that the jackets vary in popularity from school to school. If they aren't a big deal at your kid's school and she isn't that interested, then don't feel guilty about skipping it.

Even though the jackets usually are only worn until graduation, it's a rare person who doesn't hang onto it for decades and sneak proud peaks at it more often than they want to admit.

Q. Tell me about Jonathan Stewart, the sophomore running back at Timberline in Lacey. I hear he is something special.

A. You heard right. Before the 6-foot, 205-pound back suffered season-ending injuries in Game 6, Stewart tied the state record with a 422-yard rushing performance in a 63-45 victory over Centralia. His season ended with 1,213 yards. As a freshman, Stewart gained 1,305 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.

You'll hear more about him the next two years.

Q. What's your all-time favorite sports quotation?

A. It is by the novelist P.G. Wodehouse but it applies to all sports: "It is the glorious uncertainty of golf that makes it the game it is."

Have a question about high-school sports? Craig Smith will find the answer every Tuesday in The Times. Ask your question in one of the following ways: Voice mail (206-464-8279), snail mail (Craig Smith, Seattle Times Sports, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111), or e-mail csmith@seattletimes.com.