SEQUIM — The Olympic Peninsula Eagles lost another nail biter 18-14 to the Pacific Northwest Wildcats in Cascade Football League action Saturday.
The first half was a see-saw battle with both teams moving the ball at will.
The Wildcats of Granite Falls took an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Eagles answered quickly on a 18-yard touchdown pass from Steve Monger to Joe McLaughlin that led to a 7-6 Eagles lead.
The Wildcats seized the lead back 12-7 after a nifty touchdown run.
Eagles running back Ryan Swindler responded soon thereafter with a 65-yard run that gave the Eagles a 14-12 half time lead.
Defense took over the second half as both teams struggled to move the ball.
After a muffed punt, the Wildcats scored to take the lead 18-14 with seven minutes left.
The Eagles swiftly moved the ball down field, but on fourth-and-short the Wildcat defense held its ground and the Eagles had to turn the ball over.
The Wildcats were able to run out the clock to seal the victory.
Swindler was the player of the game for the Eagles, running for over 160 yards.
This is Swindler’s second game in a row breaking the century mark.
“We are really trying to change the culture on this team,” Eagles coach Mike McMahan said. “We are going in the right direction, but we need to win games like these.”
The Eagles (2-3) travel to Enumclaw next week to face the South King County Colts.
