FORKS — Fast, fierce and relentless.
Forks coach Mark Feasel said that phrase serves as the motto for his football team this season.
So far, so good.
The Spartans lived up to the motto in their season-opening 45-0 victory over Chimacum on Friday.
“We’re trying to play four quarters with that in mind,” Feasel said after the game.
“So, when people watch us, I hope they think, ‘Gosh dang, that Forks team is fast, fierce and relentless.’”
The second quarter was particularly prolific Friday night.
The Spartans scored touchdowns on each of their four drives in the quarter, thereby extending a 6-0 lead to 31-0.
They were fast. None of the offensive drives consisted of more than five plays.
They were fierce. They scored touchdowns on each of their four possessions.
They were relentless. Two of the touchdowns came in the final two minutes of the half, including a 16-yard rumble by running back Brett Pederson as time expired.
In a quarter full of big plays, Forks senior Trey Harris was the biggest playmaker.
On fourth and 15 early on the Spartans’ first drive, Harris hauled in a 43-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Braden Decker to give Forks a 12-0 advantage.
Forks interception
Later in the quarter, Harris intercepted Chimacum quarterback Alex Morris and returned it to the Forks’ 29-yard line.
That set up an 18-yard touchdown by Pederson that made the score 25-0.
In between those two scores, Decker took a quarterback option 17 yards for a touchdown.
The Spartans continued their assault on the first drive of the second half.
After the kickoff, backup quarterback Mark Jacobson’s 17-yard pass to Harris capped off a five-play drive that included four plays that went for more than 10 yards.
Despite the Spartans’ run-oriented offense, Feasel expects Harris to make an impact.
“He is a playmaker,” Feasel said.
“He’s got great hands, some of the best hands on the team, maybe the best. He’s a real disciplined athlete, he runs real tight routes, he sticks his routes.
“He can finish when he catches it, he’s crafty, he’s got good moves.”
Forks opened the scoring with a touchdown pass from Decker to Jacobson in the first quarter.
Sophomore running back Dimitri Sampson scored the final touchdown, an 8-yard run.
The Spartans’ run game appears to be on point, even without All-Peninsula running back Shane WhiteEagle, who is out for the season.
Pederson got the bulk of the carries, running up the middle.
Mitch Leppell’s speed and ability to get to the outside kept the Cowboys’ defense off-balance.
Sampson showcased his talent in the second half, spinning and breaking tackles to rack up extra yards.
On the other side of the field, Chimacum didn’t fare as well at replacing its star running back, Mel Thornton.
The Cowboys missed his speed, and were forced to use two-back formations instead of the preferred three-back looks, which limited their play-calling.
One player who drew praise from coach Shawn Meacham was sophomore Drew Yakulic.
He broke off some big runs in the fourth quarter and was solid on defense.
“He was great,” Meacham.
“He probably had the most tackles on the team, but you don’t want your starting safety to have the most tackles on the team.”
Meacham said the Cowboys, who only had 15 players suit up, have to learn from the loss.
“It’s tough to lose,” he said.
“My team has to build off this and learn how to win.
“It’s not going to be like this all year.”
Next week, the Cowboys will face Klahowya at Chimacum on Thursday night.
Forks travels to Everson to play Nooksack Valley on Saturday.
Forks 45, Chimacum 0
Chimacum 0 0 0 0— 0
Forks 6 25 7 7— 45
First Quarter
Forks—Mark Jacobson 12 pass from Braden Decker (kick failed)
Second Quarter
Forks—Tre Harris 43 pass from Decker (pass failed)
Forks—Decker 17 run (kick missed)
Forks—Brett Pederson 18 run (James Salazar kick)
Forks—Pederson 16 run (kick failed)
Third Quarter
Forks—Harris 17 pass from Jacobson (Salazar kick)
Fourth Quarter
Forks—Dimitri Sampson 8 run (Andrew Armas kick)
