JOYCE — This time it’s the other team that is depleted to the point that it has to end the game at halftime.
The Crescent Loggers took it to Muckleshoot in nonleague 8-man football action 38-0.
Like Crescent had to do last year against Tulalip Heritage, the Kings threw in the towel after two quarters due to a lack of players.
“They were disappointed that they didn’t get to have a full game,” first-year Crescent coach Brian Shimko said of his players.
Saturday’s win was the first of Shimko’s high school coaching career. The Loggers improve to 1-1 on the season.
Crescent recovered five fumbles in the game.
“Defense and special teams, that won the game,” Shimko said.
On offense, the Loggers spread the action around as six players combined for 182 yards rushing.
“We just established the line of scrimmage,” Shimko said, singling out linemen Wyatt McNeese and Raine Westfall.
Noah Leonard led the attack with 39 yards on five carries and one touchdown. He also caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Neil Peppard.
Peppard capped off the scoring with a 30-yard strike to KC Spencer in the end zone.
“It was a beautiful play,” Shimko said.
Peppard competed 4 of 6 passes for 75 yards. He also ran eight times for 35 yards.
Kyle Buchanan opened the scoring for the Loggers with a 17-yard run in the first quarter.
McCabe Story took a direct snap 8 yards for Crescent’s second TD.
“We played a lot better,” Shimko said, comparing the win to the Loggers’ Week 1 loss to Clallam Bay.
“We had all the players who were injured back.”
Crescent (1-1) also beat Muckleshoot (0-1) last year. This week, the Loggers travel to face Oakville, against which they earned their second of two wins last year.
The Acorns (0-1) opened their season Saturday with a 52-0 loss to Seattle Lutheran.
Crescent 38, Muckleshoot 0, 2 quarters
Muckleshoot 0 0 x x— 0
Crescent 22 16 x x— 38
First Quarter
C—Buchanan 17 run (run failed)
C—Story 8 run (N. Leonard run)
C—N. Leonard 15 run (N. Leonard run)
Second Quarter
C—N. Leonard 21 pass from Peppard (Story run)
C—Spencer 30 pass from Peppard (Story run)
Individual Stats
Rushing—C: N. Leonard 5-39, Peppard 8-35, Baillargeon 4-33, Story 4-29, Buchanan 4-27, Emery 3-19.
Passing—C: 4-6-0, 75.
Receiving—C: Spencer 3-54, N. Leonard 1-21.
Quilcene 56, Mary M. Knight 0
MATLOCK — Andy Johnston might start thinking this football stuff is pretty easy.
Rangers head coach Byron Wilson recently convinced Johnston to join the football team, and the sophomore made an impact in his first game and Quilcene’s season opener Saturday.
“The first football he’s ever played, and he pops off two touchdowns and 89 yards,” Wilson said.
“He also intercepted two passes, so that was even more fun.”
Johnston was one of five Rangers to score a rushing touchdown.
Quarterback Eli Harrison scored from 73 yards out on Quilcene’s first play from scrimmage and finished with 15 carries for 147 yards.
“It’s kind of nice to start that way,” Wilson said.
“The Mary M. boys were a little bit flat after that, I think; they didn’t know what to think.”
Harrison, an Associated Press Class 1B All-State defensive back in 2014, also had two interceptions.
Starter A.J. Prater is out with an illness, so in his absence the Rangers spread out the carries and five players scored rushing touchdowns.
Along with Harrison and Johnston, Juan Rogers carried 11 times for 72 yards and one score and fullback Ace Elkins had one TD and 17 yards on four carries.
Linemen Zach Collins was inserted at fullback late in the game and scored on a 3-yard run, which, Wilson said, “I didn’t really intend for him to do.”
“The offensive line was just tremendous,” Wilson said.
“[Hayes] Beathard, [Nate] Weller and Zach Collins, those three are our inside lineman.”
While the offense was running all over the Owls’ defense, the defense was keeping their offense off the scoreboard.
“It was pretty much an overall win. Everybody played,” Wilson said.
“Coach [Trey] Beathard has really got that defense cranked up. He’s got them organized and structured.
“Rogers had 18 tackles — he’s linebacker, that’s how it’s supposed to be.”
Quilcene also attempted two PATs, a rarity in 8-man football, and Harrison made both.
He also put two kickoffs in the end zone, and had two others go 57 and 52 yards.
“High school kickers just don’t do that,” Wilson said.
“I’ve been coaching for 46 years and I have never had a kicker put that many in the end zone.”
Harrison, however, suffered a minor knee injury and his status is questionable for this Friday’s game at Clallam Bay (1-1).
Quilcene 56, Mary M. Knight 0
Mary M. Knight 0 0 0 0— 0
Quilcene 36 6 6 8— 56
Individual Stats
Rushing—Q: Harrison 15-147, Johnston 4-89, Rogers 11-72, Elkins 4-17, Collins 1-3.
Passing—Q: Harrison 2-6-0, 11.
Receiving—Q: Smith 1-6, Elkins 1-5.
