FORKS — The Forks Spartans have a week to heal and get some kids back with a bye next week, coming off a 41-0 loss to Kittitas on Friday night.
The Spartans have been depleted by injuries, with three of their better players out against Kittitas — Landen Olson and Bubba Hernandez-Stansbury are out for the year and Titus Rowley was out due to a concussion sustained last week against Port Angeles.
“The things to be proud of and to draw from are the resiliency and the togetherness of the team,” said head coach Trevor Highfield. “I felt like the majority of the guys can look in the mirror and know they gave their all.”
Highfield said that with all the injuries, he started four freshmen on defense and just two seniors. Despite the Spartans’ rough start to the season, he was also proud of the positivity on the Forks sideline during the game.
Kaden Ward led the team with 10 tackles. On offense, he rushed 12 times for 40 yards. Estevan Ramos had three kick returns for 81 yards and made nine tackles on defense.
Cash Barajas forced a fumble, Kade Highfield blocked a point-after kick.
The Spartans are hoping to get some of their injured players back in the next two weeks such as Kingston Steffen. Rowley will have to clear concussion protocol to be able to play again. Forks (0-3) next hosts Ilwaco (1-2) on Oct. 3.
Crescent 46, Clallam Bay 26
CLALLAM BAY — Crescent and Clallam Bay were locked in a tough battle going in to the fourth quarter, but the Loggers erupted for 20 unanswered points to remain unbeaten at 46-26.
“It was a good battle. Clallam Bay has a really athletic group of kids,” said Crescent coach Brian Shimko.
“The game could have gone either way,” Shimko said. “We just outlasted them in the fourth. My hats off to Clallam Bay.”
Shimko said that turned the game around for the Loggers was a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by Mikah Love late in the third quarter as Clallam Bay had a 26-20 lead.
Love also ran six times for 102 yards and three touchdowns, including a 42-yarder in the fourth to help seal the game away. He caught six balls for 61 yards.
Liam Sprague ran 23 times for 192 yards and caught two passes for 14, while Loki Ellis and Conner Avrett each ran for 15 yards. Jax Sprague had a good game at quarterback, going 13-for-18 for 101 yards. Wyatt Bauer caught four passes for 23 yards. Eli Thompson had three quarterback sacks.
Crescent (3-0) will play two games this week. The Loggers host the Neah Bay JV at 4 p.m. Tuesday, then host Lake Quinault at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Neah Bay 46, Quilcene 6
QUILCENE — Neah Bay bounced back from a loss last week by beating Quilcene on the road 46-6, though a short-handed Rangers team kept it close until Tyler Swan blew the game open with a 99-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
The Red Devils were up just 8-6 at halftime, but erupted in the second half for 38 unanswered points.
“What the loss comes down to it not having enough players,” said Quilcene coach Darrin Dotson. “I have 14 guys suited. At least six of them are playing both ways. This was a game of attrition.”
“Quilcene played us pretty tough that first half. Give them credit,” said Neah Bay coach T.J. Greene. “Saturday afternoon games in Quilcene, I don’t know what it is. Games are tough and slow. As a coach, it makes you nervous.”
The game turned when the Rangers made a great play on special teams, pinning the Red Devils on their own 1-yard line after a punt. Swan responded with his 99-yard burst.
The Red Devils scored on three straight possessions on their first play in that third quarter. Caleb Cummins had an interception that helped lead to a score and Greene said that Vy Daniels had at least four or five quarterback sacks.
The Rangers’ Oliver Hopkins had 40 yards rushing and a touchdown. He also passed for 155 yards, while interception two passes on defense.
Robert Evans had 61 yards of offense, while Logan Carstensen had a 35-yard reception and two quarterback sacks. Isaac Figueroa had 52 rushing yards and six tackles and Dayton Bremsstrahlung had 35 receiving yards.
Hunter Simmons and Anikin Naputi each had six tackles, with Simmons adding a sack.
Greene said he was pleased with how his team responded after a 52-0 loss to Liberty Christian last week.
“The leaders stepped up and pushed their teammates. We were definitely more focused,” he said.
Quilcene (0-3) next plays at Charles Wright at 1 p.m. Saturday, while the Neah Bay JV plays Crescent Tuesday. The varsity (2-0, 2-1) has an open date next weekend the Red Devils are hoping to fill. If not, Neah Bay next hosts Darrington on Oct. 3.
In another game this weekend, East Jefferson lost to a powerful Cascade Christian team 49-7 on Saturday.
