FORKS — In a back and forth game with league rival Ilwaco, the Forks Spartans came out on top 37-33 thanks to three touchdowns from Kade Highfield and a pick six by Titus Rowley.
It was the first win of the year for the Spartans, who have been ravaged by an unprecedented string of injuries that knocked several of their starters out for the first few weeks. Two of their top starters, Bubba Hernandez-Stansbury and Landen Olson, are out for the year.
“It was an exciting home game,” said coach Trevor Highfield. “It was a lot of fun. Hats off to Ilwaco. They did a good job and played hard. It was a great small-town football atmosphere.”
Highfield said at the end of the day, Forks was simply more physical than Ilwaco. Highfield said Ilwaco got a touchdown after a fumble and had another touchdown after a kickoff return, but “in the end, our running game took over.”
The Spartans ended up rushing 49 times for 198 yards.
Freshman Tannon Gaydeski played quarterback for much of the game as Ward and Highfield carried much of the load on offense.
Ilwaco had leads at several points of the game, but the Spartans kept coming back.
Highfield ran 10 times for 47 yards and three touchdowns, while Ward ran 11 times for 45 yards. One of the players who had been out, Kingston Steffen contributed 49 yards on nine carries and had a touchdown, while Lane Helvey gained 36 yards on seven carries.
Kicker Mario Reyes also was 4-for-4 on his extra points and made a 35-yard field goal. Rowley, coming back from a concussion, had two interceptions, a fumble recovery and two tackles for losses. Estevan Ramos had a total of 124 punt and kickoff return yards on four returns. Cash Barajas had an interception with a 60-yard return.
The Spartans (1-4) next play at Adna (3-2) on Oct. 10.
Quilcene 52, Muckleshoot 6
QUILCENE — Quilcene won its second straight game 52-6 over Muckleshoot with a second straight huge game from Isaac Figueroa, who gained 223 yards rushing and had an 83-yard touchdown run.
The Rangers overcame more than 200 yards of penalties in the win. One penalty wiped out a 60-yard touchdown run by Robert Evans.
Figueroa ended up scoring two touchdowns and had 14 tackles on the defensive side of the ball.
Several other Rangers had big games. Evans rushed for 117 yards and had another 36 receiving, while Logan Carstensen had 74 yards receiving with a touchdown.
Oliver Hopkins had 68 yards rushing with two touchdowns and Tristan Naputi had a 25-yard touchdown run. Kaden Lont had eight tackles on defense and a fumble recovery, while Hunter Simmons had eight tackles and a quarterback sack.
In the past two wins, the Rangers have outscored their opponents 112-36 after an 0-3 start to the season.
“Our senior leadership is prevalent,” said coach Darrin Dotson. “This team is a brotherhood. They support each other, push and encourage each other and hold each other accountable.”
Quilcene (2-3) next play at Darrington (4-1) on Oct. 17.
Darrington 38, Neah Bay 36
NEAH BAY — The Neah Bay football team actually scored more touchdowns than Darrington, but the Loggers converted most of their two-point conversion while the Red Devils did not convert any, leading to a Darrington 38-36 win.
“We had six touchdowns and they had five. We left 12 points on the board,” said Neah Bay head coach T.J. Greene.
Greene said before the season started he had a feeling Darrington would be tough and the Loggers proved his hunch correct.
“Darrington earned that win for sure. We made too many mistakes. We had opportunities to put them away,” Greene said.
Greene said the Red Devils’ Tyler Swan and Caleb Cummings had their usual big games, but that the team also lost some mental focus on defense, allowing Darrington some big plays.
Neah Bay (2-1, 2-2) will look to bounce back next week at Lummi (2-2, 2-2).
Klahowya 27, East Jefferson 13
SILVERDALE — The East Jefferson football team moved the ball well against Nisqually League foe Klahowya, but struggled with its pass defense and in the red zone, said coach Nick Snyder.
“We just gave up too many long passes. Big plays hurt us,” Snyder said. Klahowya had four touchdown passes in the game as quarterback Dalton Watson threw for 309 yards.
Snyder said the Rivals also got inside the 25 four times and came away with just one touchdown.
Snyder said Luke O’Hara had a big game for the Rivals with at least 100 yards receiving and that Jackson Dupuy did well running the ball, scoring one of East Jefferson’s touchdowns.
The Rivals other touchdown came on a “scoop and score” on defense from Noah Cervantes.
East Jefferson (0-2, 1-3) next hosts Annie Wright (2-1, 4-1) at 7 p.m. Friday at Port Townsend Memorial Stadium
