EDITOR’s NOTE: This story has been updated with Sequim’s game against North Mason on Thursday.
KINGSTON — The East Jefferson football team pitched a shutout, dominating Kingston in a 29-0 victory.
The Rivals’ defense has been improving each game. East Jefferson has allowed just one touchdown over its past two games and just 55 points over its past four games.
“Our defense was really stout,” said coach Nick Snyder. “It poured. I love the rain. We’re a running team.”
It was the second straight win for the Rivals, who beat Bellevue Christian last week 33-7.
“The defense has been rock solid. They’re understanding our system and flying around the field,” Snyder said.
Snyder said the defensive line of David Henry, Tyler Martin, Moose DeAngelis and Noah Cervantes played great. Henry and Martin each had seven tackles, while Luke O’Hara had a tackle for a safety.
The Rivals got 204 yards rushing on 11 carries from Jackson Dupuy. O’Hara added 58 yards on 14 carries, while James Henery ran the ball nine times for 56 yards. Henery also had an interception.
The Rivals have a good chance to finish the season on a 3-0 streak and a 4-5 overall record with a game at a weak Vashon (0-7) team next week. Snyder said that with a win, East Jefferson would finish fourth in the Nisqually League. Unfortunately, only three teams from the Nisqually qualify for the postseason this year. Life Christian, Cascade Christian and Annie Wright will be the top three from the Nisqually League.
Neah Bay 12, Tulalip 8
MARYSVILLE — Playing in a downpour, the Neah Bay football team found itself in a massive defensive struggle with Tulalip Heritage that wasn’t decided until late in the fourth quarter.
The Red Devils hung on for a 12-8 victory. The game came down to a fumble in the final minute with Tulalip Heritage at Neah Bay’s 30-yard line, driving for a potential game-winning score. Caleb Cummins jarred the ball loose and Elihja Malinowski recovered it.
“Both teams had a lot of ball security issues on both sides,” said coach T.J. Greene.
Greene said the Red Devils were down three starters and did not have senior Tyler Swan for much of the fourth quarter as he went down with cramps. Swan’s freshmen twin brothers, Eli and Porter, ended up starting.
“Next man up got it done for us,” Greene said. “It was a real key victory this close to the playoffs.”
Neah Bay got on the board on the first play of the game on a 97-yard kickoff return by Jontae Akin. That was the only scoring until late in the third quarter.
The Red Devils were able to stretch the lead to 12-0 in the third quarter on a 18-yard run by Swan. When Swan went down with cramps, it was on Tulalip Heritage’s sideline, Greene said. He said Tulalip gave Swan fluids and helped get him back on his feet.
“That was a good show of sportsmanship,” he said.
Tulalip Heritage was able to get within one score on a tipped ball that went for a 40-yard touchdown pass. After Tulalip made the point-after, the Hawks were in position to win the game outright with another score but the late fumble sealed the win.
Swan led the team with 100 yards rushing on 17 carries. Joseph Smith had 47 yards rushing on three carries. Cummins led the team with 16 tackles.
T.J. Greene’s son, Tim Greene, is an assistant for Tulalip Heritage.
“He hasn’t been able to beat dad yet,” T.J. said.
Neah Bay (5-2 overall) next hosts Concrete at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Red Devils look to the No. 2 seed on the Northwest 1B with Darrington winning the league.
Bainbridge 42, Sequim 32
BAINBRIDGE — While many games this weekend were dictated by defense and torrential rain, the Sequim Wolves found themselves in a wild offensive shootout Friday night, combining with 11 touchdowns with Bainbridge.
The Spartans came out on top 42-32, holding the ball for more than four minutes in a crucial stretch of the fourth quarter to seal the win.
The game was close and back-and-forth early. Down 12-0, the Wolves got right back in the game on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Kaden Miller to Andrew Keeler with 4:35 left in the first quarter.
The Spartans scored a quick touchdown to make it 18-6, but tried an onside kick that Sequim recovered at midfield. With a short field, the Wolves scored in just three plays, beginning with a 24-yard pass from Miller to Zeke Schmadeke, followed by a 10-yard pass to Keeler and then a 12-yard touchdown pass to Keeler to make it 18-13.
Bainbridge took a 21-13 lead into the half. The Wolves got the first score of the second half on a 4-yard run by Liam Wiker to make it 21-19.
Bainbridge bounced back with a touchdown to make it 27-19 and the turning point of the game came on a Sequim fumble midway through the third quarter right at the sideline. The ball somehow stayed inbounds and the Spartans recovered, scoring after a quick drive to make it 35-19.
Sequim still had a chance with a big drive, capped off by a Wiker 10-yard touchdown run to make it 35-25 with 5:59 left in the game. Bainbridge was able to hold the ball for more than four minutes and scored on an 18-yard reverse to salt the game away at 42-25 with under two minutes to play.
Sequim scored a late touchdown on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Miller to Malachi Hampton. Hampton also had a 56-yard catch and run in the game dragging defenders for at least 10 yards at the end of his run, while Wiker had a 26-yard run in addition to his two touchdowns.
It was a wildly different game from Bainbridge-Port Angeles a week ago, which went to overtime after ending in a 6-6 tie in regulation.
Sequim (0-5, 3-5) hosts North Mason (3-2, 6-2) in the Wolves’ regular-season finale Thursday.
Crescent 49, Clallam Bay 14
JOYCE — The Crescent Loggers forced six turnovers and had a 25-point third quarter to remain unbeaten in 6-man football, beating Clallam Bay 49-14 on Saturday.
Mikah Love and Liam Sprague each had huge days for the Loggers.
Love ran the ball 21 times for 295 yards and four touchdowns. He added a touchdown reception for his second straight five-touchdown game.
Sprague ran 22 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns as the Loggers tallied 444 yards rushing.
Aiden Thompsen ran six times for 24 yards and Caden Seedorf had a 21-yard reception. Jax Sprague threw two touchdown passes.
On defense, Love had two interceptions, while Logan Harris and Mason Harris each had an interception.
For Clallam Bay, William Hull had a 35-yard touchdown reception and a 4-yard touchdown run.
“Our defense did really well in this,” said coach Brian Shimko.
Crescent (8-0) will wrap up its season at 1 p.m. Saturday with Homecoming against Mary M. Knight. The team will honor seniors and law enforcement at the game.
In other 1B and 2B games this weekend, Raymond-South Bend beat Forks 44-7 and La Conner beat Quilcene 38-20.
