Area Sports

Eagles Gary Ristick (55) and Eric Johnson Jr. (6) help a teammate take down Eastside Xtreme back Jay Burdine.  Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

The Olympic Peninsula Eagles did a fine job of forgetting the first half. Only problem was, the other team, the referees and official scorer didn't.

The Eastside Xtreme used a wing-T offense to jump out to a 12-0 first-half lead and held on to take the May 8 Cascade Football League match-up, 18-14.

The Eagles got scores in the third and fourth quarters, but the Xtreme picked off a pass on the Eagles' final drive to seal the win.

"I hope this is a wake-up call to our vets and young guys," Eagle coach Mike McMahon said, "to show up on Tuesdays and Thursdays (for practice) and get our work in. I'm incredibly proud of my team (but) it showed we don't practice."

Eagle running back Ryan Swindler ran for more than 100 yards while receiver Eric Johnson Jr. and quarterback Kenny Hall had short second-half touchdown runs.

But Olympic couldn't overcome a failed first-half drive with first-and-goal on the Xtreme 6 yard line, the 12-point halftime deficit and an ill-advised onside kick in the second half.

"(We) have to teach them how to win," McMahan said. "It was a very entertaining game. We just came up a little short. Compared to where this team was last year, we're miles from where some of these veterans thought we'd be."

The Eagles are home next Saturday (May 15), taking on the PNW Wildcats from Monroe at 5 p.m. at Sequim High School's football stadium.

Olympic is on the road the next week, taking on the South King County Colts in Enumclaw.



Seattle opens up on Olympic

These Stallions can run.

The Seattle Stallions defended their home turf well in a 48-7 win against the Olympic Peninsula Eagles in Cascade Football League action on May 1.

Seattle scored 21 first-quarter points and led 35-0 at halftime.

It was the first loss of the season for the Eagles, who drop to 1-1 in conference play and 2-1 overall.

Hall, the Eagle's quarterback, was 8-of-18 passing for 117 yards.

Swindler and Johnson Jr. tied for the team lead with 27 rushing yards apiece; the Eagles managed 64 yards rushing for the game.

Steve Monger led the Eagles with four receptions for 29 yards.

Johnson Jr. scored the Eagles' lone touchdown, crossing the goal line in the fourth quarter. He also led the team in tackles with seven.

On defense, Gary Ristick had a sack and Jesse Mitchell was credited with a forced fumble.

Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.