PREP FOOTBALL: Quilcene erupts early against Crescent

JOYCE — Despite giving up 242 yards and two touchdowns to Crescent’s star running back, Wyatt Lee, the Quilcene Rangers used a balance attack on the ground and the air to beat the Loggers 38-16 in a rare Thursday game.

Lee had a 39-yard run on his first play from scrimmage. Crescent coach Brian Shimko said he had a few other big runs, but for the most part, the Rangers keyed on Lee and swarmed him with two or three defenders every time he touched the ball. Lee ended up grinding out his yards on 29 carries.

“Yeah, Quilcene is good. They are a well-oiled machine,” Shimko said. “They flowed their defenders very well to the ball.”

Quilcene coach Trey Beathard said his played concentrated on gang-tackling Lee.

“It’s hard for one kid to tackle him. You have to gang-tackle him,” Beathard said.

Quilcene had some good offensive numbers, as well, though they spread it around more than Crescent. They had 193 yards rushing mostly from four players and 124 yards passing from quarterback Nathan Kieffer. Kevin Alejo led the Rangers on the ground, rushing eight times for 69 yards, while Shannon Kutler had 55 yards rushing on six carries and 76 yards receiving, which included a 53-yard touchdown reception.

Deakon Budnek had three receptions for 49 yards, while Ashton Johnston had 38 yards rushing on four carries and added a 10-yard touchdown reception. Johnston also had a short touchdown run. Kieffer had seven completions on nine throws.

Crescent’s Brayden Emery gained 23 yards on 13 carries, while quarterback Sage Austin had a nine-yard run and two completions for 27 yards.

Dominic Smith, Johnston, Budnek and Alejo all had double digits in tackles for Quilcene, while Alejo added an interception, Beathard said.

The Rangers scored all 38 of their points by halftime. Crescent scored both of its touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Beathard got all of his players in the game after that as Quilcene (3-1) has to turn around quickly to play another road game at Sound Christian (formerly Tacoma Baptist) on Saturday night. Beathard said Sound Christian is a young team and that he expects a lot of his younger players will get in the game.

Shimko was thankful that the Rangers played the Loggers on short notice. Crescent has had three games canceled or postponed this year due to COVID-19 issues with their team or other teams.

“I was happy that Quilcene gave us the opportunity to play,” Shimko said.

The Loggers (2-1) are next scheduled to play Lummi in Joyce at 2 p.m. Oct. 16.

Quilcene 38, Crescent 16

Quil. 14 24 0 0 — 38

Cres. 0 0 0 16 — 16

First Quarter

Quil. — Johnston 10 pass from Keiffer (PAT failed)

Quil. — Alejo 2 run (Alejo run)

Second Quarter

Quil. — Kutler 1 run (Kieffer run)

Quil. — Johnston 1 run (Alejo run)

Quil. — Kutler 53 pass from Kieffer (Alejo pass from Kieffer)

Fourth Quarter

Cres. — Lee 14 run (Emery pass from Sage)

Cres. — Lee 4 run (Lee pass from Sage)

Individual statistics

Rushing

Crescent — Lee 29-242; B. Emery 13-23; Sage 1-9. Quilcene —Alejo 8-69; Kutler 6-55; A. Johnston 4-38; Miller 3-20; C. Johnston 2-4; Allen 1-6; Cate 2-1.

Passing

Crescent — Sage 2-7-27. Quilcene — Kieffer 7-9-124.

Receiving

Crescent — B. Emery 1-17, Lee 1-10. Quilcene — A. Johnston 1-10; Kutler 2-76; D. Budnek 3-49.