CLALLAM BAY — Cal Ritter had high praise for the Clallam Bay Bruins after they opened the season with a 34-14 home win over Crescent.
“I was impressed,” Clallam Bay’s sixth-year coach said after Friday’s win.
“Those first two quarters that we played are probably two of the best we’ve had since I’ve been coaching.”
Freshman Clayton Willis opened the scoring with a 63-yard run, and the Bruins scored 14 points in the first quarter and 20 more in the second quarter to hold a 34-6 halftime lead.
“I think they got a little hunger in them. I think they want win,” Ritter said.
“We’re not deep, so I told them to give me 100 percent, 100 percent of the time.
“After getting that first score, it set the tone.”
Ritter was thrilled by how the Bruins who were playing new roles performed, particularly first-time quarterback Alan Greene.
“I had a couple kids that did really well, but the one that really impressed me was Alan Greene,” Ritter said.
“He stepped up and led the team.”
Ritter estimated Greene threw for more than 150 yards, and completed passes to several receivers, including Sam Signor, Kyle Keys, Caiton Smith and Martin Cummins.
“The other player who had a phenomenal game was Clayton Willis,” Ritter said.
“He ran the ball hard. Every single run of his was up and down the field, it was with purpose.”
Ritter liked the defense played by both Greene and Willis.
The Bruins’ speed was too much for Crescent, which was without its fastest players due to minor injuries.
First-year Loggers coach Brian Shimko said that at least a few of those players — KC Spencer, Jakob Baillargeon and Eric Emery — likely would have played if Friday’s game was a Northwest Football League matchup. (That will come next month in Joyce.)
Despite the loss, Shimko was happy with how the Loggers played.
“Of course, I wanted a ‘W’, the kids did, too,” Shimko said of his high school coaching debut.
“But it wasn’t a blowout for an 8-man game.
“I’m very satisfied with how the game went. We marched the ball down the field.”
Quarterback Neil Peppard led Crescent with 105 yards rushing on 17 carries and one TD. He also completed 3 of 9 passes for 74 yards.
Noah Leonard caught two of those passes for 36 yards, and McCabe Story had one catch for 38 yards.
Story scored the Loggers’ other TD, a 7-yard run off a pitch by Kyle Buchanan.
Leonard carried 10 times for 46 yards, and Buchanan gained 50 yards on
12 carries.
Clallam Bay returns to action with a road game against Rainier Christian on Friday, while the Loggers host Muckleshoot on Saturday.
Clallam Bay 34, Crescent 14
Crescent 0 6 8 0— 14
Clallam Bay 14 20 0 0— 34
Vashon Island 12, Forks 7
VASHON — The Spartans fell in the final minute of their season opener, as the Pirates scored with 20 seconds left.
“It could have gone a lot worse, it could gone a lot better,” first-year Forks coach Craig Shetterly said of Friday’s game. “All things considered, I feel good about it.
“We wanted to see how the kids would react to the pace of the game. They responded really well, even from the get-go.
“You could sense their belief got better every single snap.”
The Spartans’ defense forced six turnovers — four fumbles and two interceptions — and Jack Dahlgren had three sacks.
“He is just an unbeliveable football player,” Shetterly said of Dahlgren.
Cole Baysinger took most of the snaps at quarterback for Forks and completed 9 of 15 passes for 138 yards and an interception. He also picked off a pass on defense.
“Cole made some good throws,” Shetterly said.
“He always finds himself around the ball, especially on defense.”
Kenny Gale scored the Spartans’ only touchdown with a 33-yard run late in the fourth quarter. He finished with 134 yards on 19 carries. Jae Eastman added 21 yards on the ground.
Keishaun Ramsey, Austin Whiting and Nathan Williamson all caught passes for Forks.
“I have to give a lot credit to that team,” Shetterly said of Vashon Island.
“They are well-coached well in a lot of ways, and it’s a difficult defense to deal with.”
Forks hosts Chimacum on Friday night.
Vashon Island 14, Forks 7
Forks 0 0 0 7— 7
Vashon 0 6 0 6— 12
Second Quarter
V—Fumble return (PAT no good)
Fourth Quarter
F—Gale 33 run (Silva kick)
V—11 run (PAT no good)
Individual Stats
Rushing— F: Gale 19-134, Baysinger 9-21, Eastman 3-21, Ramsey 3-6, Silva 3-(-3).
Passing—F: Baysinger 9-15-1, 138.
Receiving—F: Whiting 2-39, Ramsey 1-22, Williamson 1-13.
