PORT TOWNSEND — When Neah Bay’s Logan Halttunnen returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in Friday’s season opener with Chimacum, it seemed like the Red Devils were picking up where the defending Class 1B state champions had let off last December in the Tacoma Dome.
But this isn’t last season, and these aren’t the same teams.
Chimacum played inspired football on both sides of the ball and downed Neah Bay 21-6 in at Memorial Field on Friday. The win snapped the Cowboys’ nine-game losing streak and left head coach Mike Dowling proud of his players.
“Now hang on, when you say wins, we haven’t had a whole lot of them,” Dowling said. “At Chimacum, every win is a heck of a win. So to start the season off against a program like that, I couldn’t ask for a better start. These guys have worked since the start of practice and we are only going to get stronger. We had 23 suited up tonight, should have 30 next week and we’ll go from here.”
Offensively, the Cowboys’ double-wing attack, an offense motivated by misdirection, confused Neah Bay for much of the game as the Chimacum line burst holes up the middle and off left tackle for running backs Logan Storm and Logan Shaw.
And Cowboys’ backup quarterback Peyton Hundley may not be the backup going forward.
With last season’s starter Cole Dotson attending a concert, according to Dotson’s older brother Lane, Hundley got the starting nod just days before Friday’s game and made the most of his opportunity.
Hundley delivered a poised, mistake-free performance managing the Chimacum offense, breaking free for 73 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries and making Red Devil tacklers miss on a number of improvisational scrambles.
Hundley also completed 5 of 8 passes for 48 yards, all to wide receiver Issac Purser, including a 14-yard go-ahead touchdown in the second quarter.
“I gave him a shout-out after the game,” said Shaw, who celebrated his 18th birthday Friday.
“That’s probably hands-down the most impressive [performance] to get thrown in at quarterback three days ago and step right up and not be afraid to tuck it and run. That’s the explosiveness we’ve needed back there and haven’t seen for a couple of years.”
Shaw, in his return from a foreign exchange trip to Norway his junior year, didn’t miss a beat for Chimacum. He totaled 77 yards on 13 carries, including a number of runs that earned important first down conversions for the Cowboys.
“At first it was very nerve-racking, but once you get going in the moment you feel all the same old feelings and the adrenaline comes back and it’s just like you’ve never left, never skipped a beat,” Shaw said.
“The offensive line definitely opened up some nice holes which surprised me, I thought we might have to throw the ball and spread it out a little bit more, but they definitely stepped it up and showed they’ve been working hard these last few weeks.”
Shaw said he kept up on his teammate’s efforts last season while abroad.
“There’s a lot of new guys and a nice energy, he said. “I think this year has a better vibe and a more upbeat outlook.”
Shaw also made an impact defensively for Chimacum.
“Logan Shaw seemed to always be in the pile,” Hundley said. “He was bringing down anyone who came in the middle. It’s great to have him back, he’s one of my best friends.
Neah Bay’s offense managed just 20 yards rushing and 66 more through the air.
Hundley credited the Chimacum defense’s ability to swarm to the football as a big reason for the Red Devils’ struggles.
“On the defensive side we started tackling as a team,” he said. “In the past we’ve always been bad at tackling. It was a big problem last year, everybody would stand and watch.”
Dowling also said his squad’s ability to rally to the football stood out.
“I think [team tackling] had a lot to do with it. That’s something you haven’t seen from us,” Dowling said.
Chimacum forced four turnovers in the game, highlighted by Purser’s 33-yard cross-field interception return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give Chimacum some breathing room at 21-6.
Storm also recovered two fumbled snaps by Neah Bay and closed out the win with an interception.
Neah Bay coach Tony McCaulley had praise for Chimacum.
“I’ve got to give them credit, they played really, really well,” he said. “Their defense played well, they put hats on the ball, they flowed to the ball. Chimacum looked good, they were way, way better than last year [Neah Bay won 52-6 in the 2016 season opener]. They have a little speed and that’s a spot where we are lacking a little bit.
“I think we are going to get it, but I think it will take us awhile. I think we played better late in the game than we did early, but Our team’s play on instinct a lot and these guys haven’t played a lot. Even our veterans didn’t play well. Daniel Kilmer got hurt, but he didn’t play well before he got hurt either.
“The funny thing is we looked really good defensively in practice but tonight there was no movement, no flow to the ball, so we’re a little puzzled by that. I think the misdirection had us confused a little bit. We started to pick it up a little bit better late in the game.”
But this was Chimacum’s night and an enthusiastic bunch of Cowboys enjoyed this victory.
“Listen, it’s been a tough go here,” Dowling said. “That was a really, really special effort as a team. We got out of here with a W and Neah Bay is one hell of a program.”
Chimacum will host South Whidbey (0-1) at Memorial Field at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Chimacum 21, Neah Bay 6
Neah Bay 6 0 0 0— 6
Chimacum 0 7 7 7— 21
First Quarter
NB—Halttunen 90 kick return (run failed)
Second Quarter
C—Purser 14 pass from Hundley (Purser kick)
Third Quarter
C—Hundley 1 run (Purser kick)
Fourth Quarter
C—Purser 33 interception return (Purser kick)
Individual Stats
Rushing—C: Shaw 13-77, Hundley 18-73, Storm 8-48, Caldwell 6-16, Bainbridge 2-2. NB: Halttunen 6-33, Yallup 5-3, Greene 3-(-16).
Passing—C: Hundley 5-8-0, 48, TD. NB: Greene 5-10-66, 2 INT.
Receiving—C: Purser 5-48. NB: Soeneke 1-23, Knaus 1-21, Tyree 3-22.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
