PORT TOWNSEND — This is Nick Snyder’s type of football game.
When Port Townsend and Port Angeles face off today in their season opener, it should be a slobber-knocker between a pair of run-first teams.
The teams meet in other sports, but prior to last year, the schools hadn’t played each other in football since 1967.
“I’m excited for that game, I really am,” Snyder, Port Townsend’s coach, said of the Redhawks matchup today against Port Angeles.
“For a first game, I’ve been more excited about this one than a lot of them, just because they’re 45 miles apart, and basically we’re neighbors.”
Last year in Port Angeles, the Riders held on to beat the Redhawks 14-13 thanks to an interception at the goal line by Nathan Angevine in the final minute.
This year should provide a similar matchup.
Under new head coach Bret Curtis, Port Angeles have changed from the Wing-T to an I-formation, but the run game is still the strength of the Riders’ offense.
Port Townsend still employs its brand of the Pistol Wing-T. This year it will be led by last year’s leading rusher, David Sua, who switched from fullback to quarterback during the offseason.
The Port Angeles-Port Townsend game, which kicks off at 8 p.m., is the second of a doubleheader at Memorial Field in Port Townsend.
Sequim and Chimacum open the evening at 5 p.m.
Rather than force fans to empty the stadium after the first game, Chimacum will sell tickets until halftime of the first game and then Port Townsend will take over.
“That’s not in our best interest to do that or anybody else’s,” Port Townsend athletic director Scott Wilson said of clearing the bleachers after the first tame.
“But if people leave, they will be expected to pay when they come back.”
Tickets will cost $6 for adults.
Wilson said proceeds from the second game will be donated to the Andy Palmer Memorial Scholarship.
Palmer went to school in Port Angeles before graduating from Port Townsend.
Soon after his graduation in 2008, Palmer was killed fighting a forest fire in California.
Parking could be tough, so Wilson encourages as many people to carpool as possible.
Sequim at Chimacum
PORT TOWNSEND — The Wolves’ upperclassmen have been where the Cowboys are now: coming off a winless season and trying to get things turned around.
Sequim posted an 0-10 record in 2013 before bouncing back to finish 4-6 last season.
Chimacum coach Mike Dowling said his team simplified its offense in the offseason in an effort to better establish the running game.
The Wolves likely will use two quarterbacks, senior Nick Faunce and freshman Riley Cowen, in an attempt to replace graduated All-Peninsula Offensive MVP Miguel Moroles.
Bailey Earley, a 6-foot-4 wide receiver, will be the Sequim’s primary pass catcher.
Crescent at Clallam Bay
CLALLAM BAY — The Loggers will see if an offseason of hard work pays off under new head coach and Crescent graduate Brian Shimko.
Junior quarterback Neil Peppard threw for the most passing yards of any quarterback on the North Olympic Peninsula.
He also threw 19 interceptions, so he’ll be looking to trim that number while targeting sophomore KC Spencer and junior Jakob Baillargeon, who returns from a broken wrist suffered last season.
Clallam Bay will entrust senior Martin Cummings to rack up yards on the ground.
Freshman Clayton Willis is expected to chew up yards at wide receiver and running back, while also making big plays in the secondary defensively.
The game can be heard live on Forks 1490 AM or online at www.forks1490.com.
Forks at Vashon
VASHON — Two new head coaches will stalk the sidelines in this nonleague opener between teams that each finished 2-7 last season.
The Craig Shetterly era begins for the Spartans, while longtime Oregon high school assistant Brynie Robinson takes over for the Pirates.
Neah Bay vs. Northwest Christian (Colbert)
SHORELINE — The Red Devils open their championship defense much like the past two seasons: an opening date against a Class 2B opponent.
Saturday’s contest has a 3 p.m. kickoff at King’s High School.
Neah Bay opened the 2013 season with a 50-6 win against Darrington, and 2014 with a 60-0 shutout of Ocosta.
Northwest Christian has finished a combined 5-15 the past two seasons.
The Red Devils hold a 25-game winning streak entering the game.
The game can be heard live on Forks 1490 AM or online at www.forks1490.com.
