QUILCENE — The Rangers blew up for 42 points in the second quarter and announced to the 1B division that they are not a team to be taken lightly in a 66-26 stomping of a Tacoma Baptist team that was ranked among the top 5 in the state earlier this season.
The win keeps Quilcene, ranked No. 3 in the state among 1B schools, undefeated at 5-0 and 2-0 in the Sea-Tac 1B League. Going into this season, the Rangers considered Tacoma Baptist their biggest challenge in the Sea-Tac League. Last year, the Crusaders knocked the Rangers out of the 1B playoffs by the score of 58-8.
“Last year, we had a bad day [against Tacoma Baptist],” said coach Trey Beathard. “Saturday, we had a good day.” Beatheard said this might have been the Rangers’ best regular season game in the four years he has been coaching at Quilcene.
Beathard said the Rangers clicked in several areas. While the offense was great — the Rangers generated more than 500 yards of offense, 390 of which came on the ground — Quilcene also played solid defense and special teams. The Rangers got four big kick returns from Andy Johnston for 55, 52, 26 and 35 yards to set Quilcene up in good field position time and again.
Quilcene was actually behind 12-8 at one point before scoring 50 straight points to end the first half.
In that huge second quarter, Ben Bruner had three touchdown runs of 10, 45 and 58 yards. Johnston had three touchdown passes, all to Robert Comstock, for 25, 47 and 37 yards.
Johnston had a huge game all-around, said Beathard. He ended up having over 175 yards of return yardage, 120 passing yards and had a fumble recovery and an interception with a 34-yard return on defense.
Add to all that eight solo tackles on defense.
“He was all over the field. That’s the best game I’ve ever seen him play,” Beathard said.
The Rangers had a total of seven sacks on the Crusaders’ All Sea-Tac Lerague QB P.J. Talen. Comstock, Olin Reynolds and Zach Budnek all had two sacks, while Bruner added a sack.
The Rangers also showed their depth, with Reynolds rushing for 138 yards on 14 carries, Bruner gaining 135 yards on five carries and Eli Mahan gaining 95 yards on five carries. Comstock had 109 yards receiving.
Beathard would not be surprised if Tacoma Baptist and Quilcene meet again in the postseason. Considering that Tacoma Baptist was ranked earlier this season and lost to No. 1-ranked Lummi by a similar score of 58-28, the Rangers could end up ranked in the top 5 after this win.
Quilcene (2-0, 5-0) next plays at Muckleshoot for a rare Friday night game that begins at 5 p.m.
Quilcene 66, Tacoma Baptist 26
Tacoma Baptist 12 8 0 6 — 26
Quilcene 16 42 0 8 — 66
First Quarter
Q—Reynolds 42 run (Reynolds run)
Q—Reynolds 3 run (Johnston run)
Second Quarter
Q—Bruner 10 run (XP failed)
Q—Bruner 45 run (XP failed)
Q—Bruner 58 run (Reynolds run)
Q—Comstock 25 pass from Johnston
Q—Comstock 47 pass from Johnston (Z. Budnek pass from Johnston)
Q—Comstock 37 pass from Johnston (XP failed)
Fourth Quarter
Q—Reynolds 35 run (Bruner XP)
Individual Stats
Rushing—Q: Johnston 2-3, Reynolds 14-138, Mahan 10-95, Bruner 5-135, Elkins 2-(-6), B. Budnek 2-13, Newman 1-6.
Passing—Q: Johnston 4-7-122, 3 TDs.
Receiving—Q: Comstock 3-109, Mahan 1-13
Bellevue Christian 28, Chimacum 6
BELLEVUE — Chimacum lost on the road Saturday to Bellevue Christian 28-6.
The Cowboys (0-3, 2-4) next play at 7 p.m. Friday at home against Vashon.
Morton/White Pass 46, Neah Bay 0
NEAH BAY — Morton/White Pass beat Neah Bay 46-0 on Friday.
The Red Devils (1-0, 2-4) next play at Tulalip Heritage at 5 p.m. Oct. 20.
