North Kitsap will not be among the pool of 2A state-bound teams for the first time since 2013, the Vikings dropping their Round of 32 game 30-13 against East Valley (Yakima) in Poulsbo Nov. 8.
The visiting Red Devils dominated in the game’s first 24 minutes of play, scoring 23 unanswered points that featured explosive passing scores of 58 and 80 yards, time consuming drives to keep NK quarterback Dawsyn Anderson and company off the field and even some special teams via a 49-yard field goal.
North Kitsap, meanwhile, found itself kept in check by the Red Devils secondary, and aside from a breakaway 30-yard run by senior Carter Dungy, the running game too was ineffective. A trio of three-and-outs and a missed 44-yard field goal kept them scoreless.
Yet the Vikings would find a way back into the game in the third quarter, an East Valley fumble at its own 37 leading to a 9-yard connection between the junior Anderson and senior Lelond Anderson. After forcing a Red Devils three-and-out, Dungy led the way to another endzone trip, this one from 4 yards away.
North Kitsap had suddenly made it a ball game again at 23-13 with the fourth quarter incoming, and despite forcing another East Valley punt, NK’s final hopes to advance would fade away on a turnover on downs with 6:57 to go. The visitors would put one more touchdown on the board before the final whistle sounded.
Coach Jeff Weible’s crew finished the season 5-5, all five wins coming against opponents in the 2A Olympic League.
While the Vikings’ season is over, two Kitsap teams secured their place in state. Olympic caught the better end of first-half turnover fiasco against Washougal, pulling away to win 42-6 to return to state for the second time in three years. Junior Chace Webster accounted for over 200 yards of offense and a pair of scores, and senior Riley McCoy also tallied two touchdowns.
Bainbridge would join the victory party Nov. 9 after making its lengthy trip to the Washington-Idaho border worthwhile with a 38-26 win over Clarkston. The victory put the Spartans into the state bracket for the first time since 2001.
Nate Putman threw for four scores including a 67-yard strike to give the Spartans their first points of a 23-point first half.
The next games for the Trojans and Spartans will be determined in the coming days.
Klahowya’s season came to an end against four-time defending 1A state champion Royal 76-6.
Bremerton’s own exciting run to the Round of 32 came to an end in a 59-7 loss to Archbishop Murphy Nov. 9.
Senior Nate Thornton throws a block against a Red Devil defensive lineman.
