POULSBO — Quilcene and Neah Bay keep rolling along the top of the Northwest B League, while most of the rest of the football teams in the Olympic Peninsula all fell this weekend.
Sequim went to Poulsbo to battle the North Kitsap Vikings in a chance to get into a deadlock for first place in the Olympic League. The Vikings were able to control the Wolves’ offense in a 30-7 win, handing Sequim its first league loss of the season. The Wolves managed just 116 yards of offense against the Vikings’ defense.
Sequim is still in good shape in the standings, essentially in a three-way tie for second with Olympic and North Kitsap behind unbeaten Bainbridge. It just so happens that Olympic is coming to Sequim on Friday night for another huge game for the Wolves (2-1, 4-2).
Bainbridge 40, Port Angeles 6
PORT ANGELES — The Roughriders were hurt not by mistakes, but three bad breaks in the first quarter that gave first-place Bainbridge all the momentum. First, the Riders’ Oliver Martinez had an apparent interception on a long pass down the sideline, but the Bainbridge receiver literally ripped the ball out of his arms for a touchdown.
Secondly, on a screen pass into the flat, the Riders’ Aiden Otis read the play perfectly and broke on the ball, but just missed an interception and possible pick-six by inches. Instead, the play went for a Bainbridge first down. Moments later came the next bad break, a bad snap over Bainbridge quarterback Jack Grant’s head. Grant ran 15 yards backward, picked up the ball on a bounce and with two Riders in hot pursuit, rolled to his left and had the presence of mind to throw a touchdown pass. It was simply a freak play and a great play from Grant.
From that point on, Bainbridge seemed to be in control as the young Riders did get 68 yards rushing from Dylan Mann.
Port Angeles (0-4, 0-6) plays a nonleague homecoming game at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Civic Field against Squalicum (3-3), which comes out of the very tough Northwest 2A League.
Neah Bay 68, Crescent 16
JOYCE — Neah Bay had reason to be nervous heading into Joyce to play Crescent as three starters — Mathias Greene, Tyler Swan and Makyah Chambers — were all out with injuries.
Jodell Wimberly took over at quarterback and ran for three touchdowns while passing for two more. Freshman Caleb Cummins ran for 184 yards and three touchdowns as Neah Bay rolled 68-16.
Neah Bay (6-0, 6-1) hosts rival Lummi (0-5, 0-5) on Friday. Crescent (3-2, 3-3) has a very important game at Charles Wright (2-4, 2-4) on Friday night to help its playoff chances.
Quilcene 51, Evergreen Lutheran 16
QUILCENE — The Quilcene Rangers kept pace with Tulalip Heritage and Neah Bay by wiping out Evergreen Lutheran. The starters for the Rangers ran only 16 plays on offense as the defense dominated with three interceptions and long returns. Isaac Figueroa also had a long kickoff return for a touchdown for the second straight game.
Quilcene (5-1, 5-1) has a big game at home at 1 p.m. Saturday against Darrington (3-2, 3-3). Not only would a win keep the Rangers near the top of the Northwest 1B standings, it would help Crescent, too.
Adna 43, Forks 14
FORKS — On a touchdown run early by Bubba Hernandez and a touchdown pass late from Hernandez to Neah Foster, the Spartans took a 14-13 lead over Adna into the halftime break.
In the second half, Forks was beset by mistakes and Adna took advantage, outscoring the Spartans 30-0 the rest of the way to win 43-14.
Forks (1-1, 2-4) looks to have another tough game at Pe Ell-Willapa Valley (2-0, 4-2) on Friday night. Last year, these two teams played a classic, with Forks coming out on top 21-18.
Annie Wright 35, East Jefferson 7
TACOMA — East Jefferson had its best defensive showing of the year, stopping eight drives by Annie Wright without a score. However, the young Rivals were hurt by turnovers and a kick return that gave the Gators a couple of quick touchdowns in a 35-7 loss. The Rivals got their touchdown on a 50-yard fumble recovery by Alex Garcia, while Tyler Martin had 12 tackles and a quarterback sack.
East Jefferson (0-4, 0-6) next plays Friday at Raymond-South Bend (1-5) in South Bend.
Clallam Bay 51, Mary M. Knight 0
CLALLAM BAY — The Bruins improved to 4-0 on the season in six-man football with all four wins by shutout. Clallam Bay (4-0) next plays at Easton on Saturday.
