PORT ANGELES — In a defensive battle dictated by torrential rain that deluged the field for the first half, the Port Angeles Roughriders football team was done in by a couple of big Bremerton plays and untimely penalties.
The Riders lost 21-0 to the Knights. Port Angeles had opportunities against Bremerton, but the Riders couldn’t take advantage of a couple of first-half Bremerton fumbles, and it seemed like any time Port Angeles did make a big play, it was nullified by a flag.
The night started out relatively pleasant, but a heavy downpour started coming down minutes before kickoff. It rained hard through most of the first half, which contributed to neither team being able to move the ball much.
The deluge was so intense at the beginning of the game that it flooded nearby Washington Street and cars parked along the street.
Dylan Mann had his usual solid game, gaining 101 yards rushing on 18 carries for Port Angeles. The Riders were able to run the ball at times, gaining 151 yards on 30 carries, but had more than 50 rushing yards nullified by penalties and the Riders also had trouble with the passing game in the soggy conditions.
The Riders got a huge break early as Bremerton fumbled on its first play from scrimmage, giving Port Angeles the ball at the 25-yard line. On a fourth-and-12, quarterback Carson Waddell took off and came up just a couple of yards short of a first down as the Riders squandered that golden opportunity.
All game long, the Riders’ defense was stout, not allowing any long drives by the Knights. However, Bremerton did gash the Riders on a pair of big plays that turned out to be the difference. The first was a 42-yard run by Kenny Najero in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Bremerton scored again on a 42-yard run by Marquis Allen, who sprinted for the end zone after he was seemingly down in a big pile up at the 35-yard line.
In the second half, the rain eased up and Port Angeles was able to move the ball behind Mann’s running, but the penalties started killing the Riders. A 30-yard run by Mann was called back for a holding penalty. Another huge run by Waddell when he completely bowled over a tackler and then gained 25 yards was called back due to a penalty. Turnovers also hurt Port Angeles as the Riders threw three second-half interceptions.
Bremerton scored a final touchdown with 3:50 left in the game.
Port Angeles (1-4, 2-6) wraps up its regular season with a tough game, taking on Olympic League leader Olympic (5-0, 7-1) on the road Thursday.
East Jefferson 29, Kingston 0
KINGSTON — The East Jefferson football team pitched a shutout, dominating Kingston in a 29-0 victory.
The Rivals’ defense has been improving each game. East Jefferson has allowed just one touchdown over its past two games and just 55 points over its past four games.
It was the second straight win for the Rivals, who beat Bellevue Christian last week 33-7.
The Rivals got 204 yards rushing on 11 carries from Jackson Dupuy. Luke O’Hara added 58 yards on 14 carries, while James Henery ran the ball nine times for 56 yards. Henery also had an interception.
The Rivals have a good chance to finish the season on a 3-0 streak and a 4-5 overall record with a game at a weak Vashon (0-7) team next week.
Neah Bay 12, Tulalip Heritage 8
MARYSVILLE — Playing in a downpour, the Neah Bay football team found itself in a massive defensive struggle with Tulalip Heritage that wasn’t decided until late in the fourth quarter.
The Red Devils hung on for a 12-8 victory. The game came down to a fumble in the final minute with Tulalip Heritage at Neah Bay’s 30-yard line, driving for a potential game-winning score. Caleb Cummins jarred the ball loose and Elihja Malinowski recovered it.
Neah Bay got on the board on the first play of the game on a 97-yard kickoff return by Jontae Akin. That was the only scoring until late in the third quarter.
The Red Devils were able to stretch the lead to 12-0 in the third quarter on a 18-yard run by Tyler Swan. Tulalip Heritage was able to get within one score on a tipped ball that went for a 40-yard touchdown pass.
Swan led the team with 100 yards rushing on 17 carries. Joseph Smith had 47 yards rushing on three carries. Cummins led the team with 16 tackles.
Neah Bay (5-2 overall) next hosts Concrete at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Red Devils look to be the No. 2 seed on the Northwest 1B with Darrington winning the league.
Bainbridge 42, Sequim 32
BAINBRIDGE — While many games this weekend were dictated by defense and torrential rain, the Sequim Wolves found themselves in a wild offensive shootout Friday night, combining for 11 touchdowns with Bainbridge.
The Spartans came out on top 42-32, holding the ball for more than four minutes in a crucial stretch of the fourth quarter to seal the win.
The game was close and back-and-forth early. Down 12-0, the Wolves got right back in the game on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Kaden Miller to Andrew Keeler with 4:35 left in the first quarter.
The Spartans scored a quick touchdown to make it 18-6, but tried an onside kick that Sequim recovered at midfield. With a short field, the Wolves scored in just three plays, beginning with a 24-yard pass from Miller to Zeke Schmadeke, followed by a 10-yard pass to Keeler and then a 12-yard touchdown pass to Keeler to make it 18-13.
Bainbridge took a 21-13 lead into the half. The Wolves got the first score of the second half on a 4-yard run by Liam Wiker to make it 21-19.
Bainbridge bounced back with a touchdown to make it 27-19, and the turning point of the game came on a Sequim fumble midway through the third quarter right at the sideline. The ball somehow stayed inbounds and the Spartans recovered, scoring after a quick drive to make it 35-19.
Sequim still had a chance with a big drive, capped off by a Wiker 10-yard touchdown run to make it 35-25 with 5:59 left in the game. Bainbridge was able to hold the ball for more than four minutes and scored on an 18-yard reverse to salt the game away at 42-25 with under two minutes to play.
Sequim scored a late touchdown on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Miller to Malachi Hampton. Hampton also had a 56-yard catch and run, dragging defenders for at least 10 yards at the end of his run.
Sequim (0-5, 3-5) hosts North Mason (3-2, 6-2) in the Wolves’ regular-season finale at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Crescent 49, Clallam Bay 14
JOYCE — The Crescent Loggers forced six turnovers and had a 25-point third quarter to remain unbeaten in 6-man football, beating Clallam Bay 49-14 on Saturday.
Mikah Love and Liam Sprague each had huge days for the Loggers.
Love ran the ball 21 times for 295 yards and four touchdowns. He added a touchdown reception for his second straight five-touchdown game.
Sprague ran 22 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns as the Loggers tallied 444 yards rushing.
Jax Sprague threw two touchdown passes. On defense, Love had two interceptions, while Logan Harris and Mason Harris each had an interception.
For Clallam Bay, William Hull had a 35-yard touchdown reception and a 4-yard touchdown run.
Crescent (8-0) will wrap up its season at 1 p.m. Saturday with homecoming against Mary M. Knight.
In other 1B and 2B games this weekend, Raymond-South Bend beat Forks 44-7 and La Conner beat Quilcene 38-20.
