PREP FOOTBALL ROUNDUP: East Jefferson, Sequim defenses stout in losses

PORT TOWNSEND — The East Jefferson Rivals played a tough physical battle on defense and was able to run the ball in the first half, but an Annie Wright scoop and score on a turnover helped lead the Gators to a 21-6 victory over the Rivals at Port Townsend Memorial Stadium.

The Rivals had a 6-0 lead going into the half against the 4-1 Gators.

Coach Nick Snyder said the Rivals had 300 yards of offense. Deken Lorenzen had more than 100 yards rushing on three carries, which included a 65-yard touchdown.

“After halftime, they loaded up the box and dared us to pass it,” Snyder said.

The Gators got one touchdown on defense and the Rivals were hurt by turnovers, but Snyder was proud of how his team played.

“Isaac Stewart was phenomenal on defense. He is a great middle linebacker,” he said. “The kids are stepping it up on defense. I’m really glad we’re playing good defense.”

In addition to his touchdown run, Lorenzen also had nine tackles on defense. Snyder said Jackson Dupuy, Luke O’Hara and Jameson Henerey all ran the ball well in addition to Lorenzen.

The Rivals (0-4, 1-5) have another tough challenge coming up against Bellevue Christian (4-1) at 7 p.m. Friday at Port Townsend Memorial Stadium.

North Kitsap 24, Sequim 7

SEQUIM — For the second straight week, North Kitsap beat a North Olympic Peninsula team with a commanding defensive performance in a 24-7 victory over the Sequim Wolves on Friday night.

While Sequim for the most part played a great game defensively, the Wolves struggled to move the ball against North Kitsap’s defense, which held Port Angeles to just seven points the week before.

The Wolves forced three turnovers and gave up just 284 yards to the Vikings, but they only generated 152 yards of offense themselves. Of Sequim’s 91 yards passing, 46 came on one play.

The Wolves were hurt by a couple of long punt returns. The first one early in the first quarter set up the Vikings with first and goal. They quickly scored a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead just a couple of minutes into the game.

The Wolves’ Sam Shinkle made a great play on special teams, stripping the ball from the Vikings’ return man, then recovering the ball to give Sequim the ball in North Kitsap’s territory. Sequim also had an interception from Malachi Hampton and recovered another fumble but couldn’t take advantage of the Vikings’ mistakes.

Sequim scored its(0-3 touchdown in the fourth quarter after a spectacular 46-yard pass from quarterback Kaden Miller to Hampton. That set up the Wolves at the 4-yard line and they scored on a short touchdown on the next play.

Sequim (0-3, 3-3) will play will play at league-leading Olympic (3-0, 5-1) at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

In another game this weekend, Adna beat Forks 49-13.