Football: North Kitsap’s Vikings run past Wolves, 42-7

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By Michael Dashiell • October 5, 2016 1:30 am
Sequim's Rudy Whitehead breaks free from Viking Zach Clark for a big gain in the second half of Sequim's 42-7 loss to North Kitsap on Sept. 30. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Sequim's Rudy Whitehead breaks free from Viking Zach Clark for a big gain in the second half of Sequim's 42-7 loss to North Kitsap on Sept. 30. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Olympic League standings

Team Lg. Over

North Kitsap 3-0 5-0

Kingston 2-0 2-3

Olympic 2-1 3-2

Sequim 1-1 3-2

North Mason 1-2 1-4

Bremerton 0-2 2-3

Port Angeles 0-3 0-5

On their way to posting big numbers in total yards and points, North Kitsap got there in a most efficient manner.

The Vikings (3-0 in Olympic League play, 5-0 overall) needed just four plays from scrimmage to jump out to 14-0 lead by the end of the first quarter en route to a convincing 42-7 win in Sequim on Friday night.

The Vikings, ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press poll coming into the game, racked up 523 total yards — 368 of those on the ground.

“They block more, they stay on their blocks and they run north and south,” Sequim coach Erik Wiker said of Sequim’s foes.

The Wolves (1-1, 3-2) looked to control the clock with sustained drives but couldn’t get a consistent run game going, finishing the night with 30 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Riley Cowan looked to keep Sequim close, trimming a North Kitsap lead to 21-7 with an 11-yard score through the air to receiver Gavin Velarde with 5:29 on the first half clock. But the Vikings, who scored on all four first half drives, put together a five-minute, 14-play drive capped by Nate Kjormoe’s 14-yard scamper for a 28-7 lead going into halftime.

NK’s Sam Henden had a 48-yard touchdown run to open the second half and a 35-7 lead that Sequim never threatened.

Kjormoe finished with 110 yards rushing while Henden added 102 yards from scrimmage. Carson Bower added a 63-yard touchdown reception as NK’s quarterbacks Tristin Newman and Chris Andrews combined to go 9-of-14 with no interceptions.

Viking defensive end Notah Quinnten had two key sacks on Cowan to stymie drives.

“No. 69 (Quinnten) was real good,” Wiker said. “Some of that was on us, kids not executing like they should.”

Austin Hilliard led Sequim with two fourth quarter rushes for 33 yards, while Viking starters shut down SHS starter Tyler Conn to just 17 yards on 12 attempts.

Cowan finished 18-of-27 for 151 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Curtis Gorr had four catches for 62 yards, Velarde had six for 31 yards and Payton Glasser added four receptions for 40 yards.

Looking ahead

Sequim looks for their second league win when they host North Mason on Oct. 7 during Homecoming weekend.

The Bulldogs (1-2, 1-4) are coming off a 10-6 loss to Olympic. North Mason has only broken the seven-point plateau once this season — a 17-14 loss to Kingston.

“They have the ability to beat every team in the league,” Wiker said of his Wolves. “It’s all how they respond to … the adversity. We want to get better every week.”

Sequim follows that with an away game in Silverdale against Olympic’s Trojans on Oct. 14, followed by the Rainshadow Rumble at home against Port Angeles on Oct. 21. The Wolves complete the regular season at Kingston on Oct. 28.