The Kingston Buccaneers were determined to take away receiver Pyper Alton in Port Angeles’ first game in the state flag football tournament.
The Roughriders, a first-year squad, came up with a secret weapon to counter Kingston’s strategy.
Tyann Connary, a tall freshman, was brought up from the junior varsity squad for the district playoffs. With Kingston playing tough defense, Connary became a deadly weapon, running straight up the middle of the field and providing a target for quarterback Kennedy Rognlien. Time and again, Rognlien hit Connary for 10- to 15-yard gains and the Buccaneers simply had no answer for how to guard her.
Thanks to Connary’s great game, the Riders eventually held on to beat Kingston 15-14 in overtime, sending them to the state semifinals against Lynden in Federal Way this weekend.
Athlete of the Week is sponsored by Swain’s General Store in Port Angeles.
