FORKS — One team will walk off the Spartan Stadium grass happy to have snapped a losing streak after Forks hosts Chimacum tonight.
The Spartans (0-1) were 20 seconds away last week from ending a five-game skid that dates back to a 20-19 victory against Tenino on Oct. 3, 2014.
But Forks allowed Vashon to score the late game-winning touchdown in a 12-7 defeat, spoiling a six-turnover performance by the Spartans’ defense.
Despite starting four freshmen, first-year head coach Craig Shetterly said defense will be Forks’ strength, particularly early in the season.
“We can really rest on our defense,” Shetterly said.
Kenny Gale rushed for 134 yards and sophomore quarterback Cole Baysinger was efficient.
The Cowboys (0-1), meanwhile, are mired in a 13-game losing streak stretching back to a 33-21 win over Vashon on Oct. 28, 2013.
Chimacum didn’t fare well in its opener, falling 43-6 to Sequim while missing multiple ineligible contributors and starting two freshman on its offensive line.
“We had a lot of guys — we had four starters not available,” Chimacum coach Mike Dowling said of last week’s game.
“So, we’ll get better.”
Junior Elijah Avery was a bright spot for the Cowboys, leading the team in rushing with six carries for 31 yards.
Tonight’s game kicks off at
7 p.m.
Forks beat Chimacum 27-8 last year in Port Townsend.
Coupeville
at Sequim
■ Details: Friday at 5 p.m.
SEQUIM — The Wolves (1-0) continue their nonleague schedule with another game against an Olympic League 1A Division foe.
Sequim blew out Chimacum 43-6 on the road last week.
Coupeville (0-1), also nicknamed the Wolves, opened its season under new coach Brett Smedley with a 27-14 loss to rival South Whidbey.
Sophomore Hunter Downes completed 9 of 27 passes for 139 yards and two interceptions in his starting debut for Coupeville, but the Wolves only amassed 38 rushing yards.
Sequim plans to continue using a two-quarterback system with senior Nick Faunce and freshman Riley Cowan splitting snaps.
The duo combined to go 7 for 10 for 102 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win.
Sequim defeated Coupeville on the road last year 40-18.
Vashon Island at Port Angeles
■ Details: Friday at 7 p.m.
PORT ANGELES — The Roughriders aim to rebound after a tough opening to the season, a 49-0 loss to Port Townsend.
“All around, we’ve got to get better,” first-year Port Angeles coach Bret Curtis said after last week’s game, referring to both the players and the coaches.
Like the Riders (1-0), the Pirates (1-0) have a new coaching staff, and they got off to a nice start with a 12-7 win over Forks last week.
Forks coach Craig Shetterly was impressed with Vashon, particularly its defense, which he said was a “difficult defense to deal with.”
Last year, the Riders went on the road and defeated Vashon 40-8.
Clallam Bay at Rainier Christian
■ Details: Friday at 7 p.m. at Kentwood High School.
COVINGTON — The Bruins aim to open their season with a two-game winning streak tonight.
Clallam Bay (1-0) defeated Crescent 34-14 last week.
The Mustangs (0-1), meanwhile, are coming off a 28-12 loss to Sunnyside Christian.
In Clallam Bay last season, the Bruins beat Rainier Christian 56-34, boosted by a 26-point second quarter that was punctuated by a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown by then-eighth-grader Clayton Willis.
The game can be heard live on Forks 1490 AM and online at forks1490.com.
Quilcene at Mary M. Knight
■ Details: Saturday at 1 p.m.
MATLOCK — After sitting out last week because Lopez canceled its season, the Rangers finally open their season Saturday against the Owls.
Its offense was dominated by one player in 2014, but Quilcene expects to spread the ball around a lot more this season through the running and passing of quarterback Eli Harrison and the running of A.J. Prater and Ace Elkins.
And all that will happen behind a big and experienced offensive line highlighted by senior Nate Weller.
Mary M. Knight fell to Seattle Lutheran 60-8 last week.
The Rangers beat the Owls 52-14 last season.
Muckleshoot at Crescent
■ Details:Saturday at 1 p.m.
JOYCE — The Loggers have a game of experience under their belts, while the Kings are playing their first game of the season Saturday.
Crescent lost to Clallam Bay 34-14 in the opener, but the Loggers’ offense was limited by the absence of KC Spencer, Jakob Baillargeon and Eric Emery.
“All our yards were up the middle,” Crescent coach Brian Shimko said. “We’re a totally different team when we have all that speed outside.”
The Loggers went on the road and picked up one of their two wins of the season by beating Muckleshoot 46-30 last year.
Neah Bay at Lummi, canceled
BELLINGHAM — The Blackhawks had to pull out of this high-profile 8-man football showdown due to a lack of players
Lummi defeated Taholah 40-12 last week with only 11 players.
The game wasn’t officially canceled until Wednesday, which didn’t give the Red Devils enough time to find a replacement opponent.
Neah Bay (1-0), ranked No. 2 in the latest Associated Press football poll, is scheduled to face the third-ranked Blackhawks in a Northwest Football League game Oct. 16.
