Sequim has had a crazy October.
The Wolves have gone to overtime in each of their three games this month.
The downside is that two of those three games ended with heartbreaking losses.
The upside is that Sequim doesn’t go down easy.
That might not be much consolation this season, but it could pay dividends next year when most of the team’s key contributors return.
Here are three things learned last week in North Olympic Peninsula prep football:
■ Neah Bay is Neah Bay still.
Before the season, the big question about the defending champion Red Devils was how good could they be without a stellar 2014 graduating class?
The answer, seven games in, is: “What 2014 graduating class?”
Neah Bay (3-0, 7-0) has gone through the regular season without being tested, other than two games against Lummi.
The top-ranked Red Devils earned their second 12-point win of the season against the No. 4 Blackhawks last week by a 50-38 score.
And they did it by doing what they do best: Run the ball.
Then run some more.
Then run some more.
And run again.
Since freshman Rwehabura Munyagi Jr. — whose father, Ray Munyagi, holds nine modern Peninsula College basketball records, including most rebounds and field goals made in a career — took over at quarterback against Taholah, Neah Bay’s offense has been a little pass-happy.
But last week, Munyagi only attempted two passes.
Cole Svec ran for 235 yards, Chris Martinez had 135 yards and Elisha Winck carried four times for 113 yards.
As a team, Neah Bay ran for 506 yards.
So, passing makes the Red Devils more dangerous, but running is what makes them great.
Actually, running and defense.
Led by John Reamer, Neah Bay has
Defensively, is still shrinking the usually wide-open field of 8-man football.
Josh Monette recorded 16 tackles and a fumble recovery against Lummi, while John Reamer had 10.5 tackles.
■ Clallam Bay surprise.
The Bruins (1-2, 4-3) likely won’t make the playoffs, as league losses to Lopez and Lummi have put them in a tough spot to overcome standings-wise.
But a win Saturday at Tulalip Heritage would clinch a winning season, an idea that seemed out of the question after preseason discussions with Clallam Bay coach Cal Ritter.
If that becomes reality, the Bruins might just be the most surprising football team on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Ritter was absolutely correct before the season when he said the strength of his team would be found in the fleet feet of Casey Randall, the athleticism of Kyle Keys and the size, strength and leadership of Kelly Gregory.
His summertime belief that his team was out for a “tough season” was either off target, or his team has exceeded expectations.
Solid play on both sides of the line by Justin Messinger, a player Ritter regularly singles out for praise after games, has helped, as has the emergence of eighth-grader Clayton Willis.
Willis scored a neat touchdown early Friday when the outcome of the Bruins’ eventual 69-14 victory over Crescent was still in doubt.
Willis took a pitch left, found the sideline and tiptoed along it for a 5-yard score.
He also was a force on defense, with numerous tackles and solid play in his one-on-one matchups with his Crescent counterparts.
Sam Signor has provided speed and size on both sides of the ball at wide receiver and cornerback/defensive end as well for Clallam Bay.
■ Port Townsend can D-up.
The Redhawks (4-1, 5-2) have clinched a share of the Olympic League’s 1A Division title and should wrap up the trophy with their second Quimper Quarrel rivalry win of the season against Chimacum (0-5, 0-7) during homecoming Friday night at Memorial Field.
Strong defensive play has been a large part of Port Townsend’s success.
The Redhawks have allowed an average of just 12.57 points in their seven games while putting up 34.71 on offense. Coupeville is the only team to score 20 or more points against Port Townsend, something the Wolves did twice.
Port Townsend coach Nick Snyder is a defensive-minded coach, working for many season as defensive coordinator for his alma mater before getting his first chance as a head coach with Port Townsend in 2001.
Snyder has praised the performances of junior captain and middle linebacker Keegan Khile, who leads the Redhawks in tackles with 59 and in fumble recoveries with two.
Senior Jeff Seton has proven he’s not just a strong armed quarterback, chipping in with 44 total tackles from the linebacker position.
Solid coverage has come from the secondary with Jacob Ralls leading the team with three interceptions, while junior safeties Ezra Easley and freshman Detrius Kelsall have each recorded two picks.
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“Three things learned in high school football last week” appears each week in the PDN.
Sports Editor Lee Horton can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 5250 or at mcarman@peninsualdailynews.com.
