KINGSTON — Port Angeles accomplished everything but a victory in a 15-12 last-minute loss to Kingston.
“This was by far our most complete game of the season,” head coach Bret Curtis said.
The Roughriders took their opening drive down to the 1-yard line but an equipment penalty for not wearing a mouthpiece scrubbed Port Angeles’ first touchdown of the season.
“That penalty really hurt and we didn’t convert as a result,” Curtis said.
The Riders came away empty on that drive, but did put up their first points of the season in the second quarter.
Port Angeles scored on a 44-yard pass from Matt Warner to Rudy Valdez to take their first lead of the season 6-0 in the second quarter.
The Riders trailed 7-6 at halftime, but took the lead again on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Warner to Easton Joslin.
“Our offense moved the ball pretty well,” Curtis said.
Junior Jarrett Burns sparked Port Angeles with 12 carries for 148 yards.
He missed time earlier in the season with a compound dislocation of his pinkie finger.
“He’s a tough kid,” Curtis said. “He ripped off one real long one, about a 70-75 yard run.”
Curtis said Trevor Shumway also ran the ball well.
“Trevor Shumway he did some hard running between the tackles,” Curtis said.
He’s one of our 10th graders and is developing into a good little back.”
Penalties hurt the Riders all game, including on Kingston’s game-winning drive.
“There’s one of the bug-a-boos,” Curtis said.
“Their final drive was assisted by some penalties. We had a big facemask penalty, we had them on a 3rd-and-15 and we came at the QB at an odd angle and grabbed his mask.
“That let them off the hook and gave them an automatic first down.”
Curtis said the Bucs got two clutch completions in the final minute, including the go-ahead score on an 18-yard pass play.
Port Angeles had one last chance at the end.
“They squib kicked it and our guy Ben Arnold picked it up and had a nice return to about midfield where he got absolutely bodyslammed,” Curtis said.
“They called a personal foul penalty to move us up, and by that time we had time for one last throw, but it went incomplete.”
It was the Riders second-straight loss by less than six points.
“Both weeks now they have taken it pretty hard, but the message is we have improved a lot,” Curtis said.
“We just have to focus on that, and I told the kids it’s going to hurt and it should hurt for a day or two.
“But regroup, come back strong Monday because we have another one at home and we can build off a pretty good game.”
Curtis said Bryce Lauderback, Jace Lausche and Joslin played well defensively.
Port Angeles (0-3, 0-5) will host nonleague foe Renton (1-3, 1-4) on Friday.
Neah Bay 58, Crescent 0
NEAH BAY — Cole Svec scored on a punt return and two rushing touchdowns and Cameron Buzzell hauled in three Rwehabura Munyagi Jr. passes for scores as the Red Devils shutout the Loggers.
Svec finished with six carries for 77 yards.
Buzzell had five catches for 106 yards.
Munyagi completed 8 of 10 passes for 185 yards. He also returned an interception 30 yards for a score.
The junior has scored on interception returns in the team’s last three games.
Montesano 62, Forks 6
MONTESANO — Carson Klinger carved up another North Olympic Peninsula football team, rushing for four TDs against the Spartans in the Evergreen League opener for both teams.
He had five touchdowns in a week two game win over Sequim.
Forks trailed 42-0 at halftime against the fourth-ranked team in Class 1A.
The Spartans (0-1, 2-3) host Tenino (0-1, 3-2) on Friday.
Tacoma Baptist 58, Quilcene 8
UNIVERSITY PLACE — The Crusaders (1-0, 5-0) showed why they are the Sea-Tac League favorites with a dominant win against the Rangers (0-1, 3-1).
Quilcene hosts Muckleshoot (0-1, 1-2) on Saturday.
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Compiled from team reports
