SEQUIM — The Sequim Wolves had surely been looking forward to getting back the Rainshadow Rumble trophy all year after the Port Angeles Roughriders won it in 2023.
The Wolves took care of business in the second half, overcoming a sluggish and mistake-filled first half to beat the Riders 27-7.
Sequim looked to be in control most of the first half as it felt like Zeke Schmadeke could break for a long touchdown at any time. However, the Wolves kept shooting themselves in the foot as a 69-yard Schmadeke touchdown run was called back and a Schmadeke touchdown pass was also called back for a penalty. The Wolves also had two costly first-half turnovers.
Port Angeles played stout defense much of the game, which the Riders have done most of the year. They also were able to run the ball at times and most importantly, they cut down on the mistakes — turnovers, bad snaps, etc. — that have hurt them so much earlier in the year. The two heated rivals went into the half with Sequim holding just a 7-0 lead.
In the second half, the Riders defense got a steady dose of Schmadeke right up the middle and the Wolves were able to move the ball and score. They dominated the time of possession in the second half. Schmadeke finished with 148 yards on 24 carries and Liam Wiker added 87 yards on 17 carries. The win puts Sequim near the top of the Olympic League standings at 3-1 with a big game at Bremerton next week. Port Angeles (0-4) travels to North Kitsap.
Quilcene 28, Charles Wright 26
QUILCENE — In perhaps the game of the week, Quilcene got into a back-and-forth battle with new 1B foe Charles Wright. The game featured four lead changes in the second half.
Andrew Perez-Lopez ran 17 times for 186 yards and a 45-yard touchdown. He also threw for a touchdown. However, his biggest play came on defense. After a Robert Evans 35-yard run and an Evans two-point conversion gave Quilcene a 28-26 lead with less than four minutes to play, Charles Wright drove right back down the field inside the Rangers’ 40-yard-line. With less than two minutes to play, Perez-Lopez picked off a Tarrier’s pass to clinch the victory.
The victory put the Rangers at 3-1 with that one loss by one touchdown to powerhouse Neah Bay. Quilcene is at Muckleshoot on Friday.
Neah Bay 66, Muckleshoot 18
TACOMA — Neah Bay gained 262 yards, 234 of them on the ground, in a 66-18 win over Muckleshoot.
The Red Devils won easily even without workhorse Jodell Wimberly, who was out with a shoulder injury. In Wimberly’s absence, four players had more than 40 yards from scrimmage.
Jontae Akin had a 68-yard touchdown run and Adan Ellis a 45-yard TD run. Tyler Swan returned from injury to give the Red Devils 44 yards and Makyah Chambers led the team with 84 yards from scrimmage, adding an interception return for a touchdown and a fumble recovery on defense. Eugene Ray also caught a touchdown pass from Chambers.
Neah Bay improved to 4-1 with the win and plays at a tough Darrington (3-2) team Friday.
Other games
All the other games involving Olympic Peninsula teams this weekend were lopsided. Clallam Bay improved to 3-0 in six-man football, beating Lake Quinault 59-0. Forks lost 54-7 to Meridian, a 1A powerhouse, Darrington beat Crescent 50-0 and East Jefferson lost 87-0 to Life Christian.
