PREP SPORTS: Forks football falls in Central 2B North clash with No. 1 Napavine

NAPAVINE — Forks was hoping for an upset to earn a share of the Central 2B North division title, but Napavine had other plans, showing that it continues to be one of the top Class2B teams in the state in a 52-8 stomping of the Spartans.

Napavine, 5-0 in league and 8-1 overall is ranked No. 1 in Ratings Percentage Index among 2B schools. The Tigers used a number of big running plays from Ashton Demarest and forced a pair of turnovers to get up 46-0 before halftime as the Spartans had trouble getting much going on offense.

Demarest totaled three touchdowns on the ground on just seven carries, shaking loose for 110 rushing yards.

“Napavine is probably the best team in the state. There is a big disparity between them and teams like us,” said Forks coach Trevor Highfield.

Forks came in to the game ranked No. 4 in RPI and dropped to No. 6 after the loss.

Highfield said he was proud of how the Spartans finished the game and took the defeat with class.

“We have a great group of seniors. Great kids,” Highfield said. “They finished well and worked hard.”

Forks did get a couple of nice plays in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Bubba Hernandez hit Gunner Rogers for a 40-yard reception and then a couple of plays later, Hernandez ran out of the trouble and down the sideline for a 22-yard touchdown. He then hit Landen Olson on a pass for a 2-point conversion.

Hernandez also returned the opening kickoff of the second half deep into Napavine territory.

The Spartans finish the regular season 3-2 in league and 7-2 overall. Highfield said he expected to hear late Friday or today the team’s seeding in the district football playoffs next weekend.

Amazingly, five of the top seven ranked teams in the state are in the Central 2B League’s north and south divisions — Napavine (No. 1), Onalaska (No. 4), Toledo (No. 5), Forks (No. 6) and Kalama (No. 7).

Bremerton 62, Sequim 17

BREMERTON — The Wolves (2-5, 2-6) wrapped their season on the road Thursday night.

No details were reported.

Girls Soccer Sequim 3, Kingston 0

KINGSTON — The Wolves received a strong challenge from the Buccaneers in the regular season finale for each squad.

“We wanted to finish strong and get a shutout and prepare ourselves for the postseason,” coach Ken Garling said.

“We were able to do all those things, but it didn’t come easy. Kingston put up a fight. They challenged us to be on our toes in our passing game and we really had to work for it.”

Garling said the game resembled a recent contest against Olympic when the Trojans tried an almost completely defensive-minded strategy.

“When we unlocked the formula we picked up our play,” Garling said.

Raimey Brewer found cousin Taryn Johnson for Sequim’s first goal just before halftime.

“Raimey was playing our No. 8 in central midfield and she found Taryn with an open through ball,” Garling said. “We were trying to widen them out and she found some space through the middle to hit Taryn.”

The Wolves defended the one-goal lead for 30 minutes before adding some insurance.

Brewer’s corner kick was on target and Johnson headed in Sequim’s second goal in the 73rd.

Freshman Olive Bridge added the third goal in the 78th minute.

“A great solo effort on a slow, driven, left-footed shot just inside the goal box,” Garling said.

Sequim (11-3-0) will find out its district opponent this weekend.

Volleyball

Sequim 3, Kingston 1

SEQUIM — The Wolves overcame some flat play in the opening set to win 22-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-20 in the Olympic League regular season finale.

“We missed serves at bad times and Kingston was playing hard — they had a seven-point run — and we needed to settle in and start playing,” Wolves coach Jennie Webber Heilman said.

“We started passing better and just playing more consistently and serving better.”

Jolene Vaara led Sequim with 20 kills, nine digs, 2 stuff blocks while also serving 19 of 20 with an ace and a seven-point serving run of her own in the second set.

Sydney Clark added 27 assists, 10 digs, two kills and a block while serving 16 for 17 with an ace.

Brianna Palenik was 15 for 18 with an ace, a four-point run and a five-point run in the third game. She added seven kills and 16 digs.

“They had a hard time passing her serve,” Webber Heilman said of Palenik.

Arianna Stovall also served four aces in a six-point run in the final game. She finished 20 for 23 with five aces, four kills and a block.

The Wolves (10-4, 10-5) will find out their Class 2A Bi-District Tournament opponent later this weekend. The tournament begins Friday at Tukwila and Sammamish High Schools with Bremerton hosting all of next Saturday’s play.