Cruisers Heading To State Playoffs
The team poses with summer weightlifting specialist Oleg Kechko after their 57-35 victory over rival Orting. Photo by Trinity Potter
The Eatonville Cruiser football team headed to Orting this past Friday night to take on the Cardinals. The game was a district playoff game with the winner earning a state berth and the loser’s season coming to an end.
The Cruisers would strike first on a Job Kralik 32-yard field goal.
The Cardinals would answer back on their first play from scrimmage. Running back Dylan Spreader would run right through the Cruiser defense untouched for a 77-yard score. Orting would lead 7-3.
Zach Smith would return the kickoff to the Cardinal 35. Eatonville would have great field position. A few plays later, senior Alex Brymer would break a few tackles and dive into the end zone at the pylon for the 28-yard score. The kick would be no good and the Cruisers would take back the lead at 9-6.
After forcing a Cardinal punt, Eatonville would strike again when Caden Jumper would find Job Kralik streaking across the field for a 60-yard score. Kralik's kick would be good and the Cruisers would extend their lead to 16-7.
Once again, the Cardinals would waste no time answering the Cruisers score. They would put together at 54-yard drive that was capped off by a Daniel Hobart touchdown. After the kick, Eatonville would still lead 16-14.
After the Eatonville kickoff, the Cardinals would recover the ball at the Cruiser 16-yard line. Two plays later, Daniel Hobart would find the end zone again for the Cardinals. With the extra point attempt successful, Orting would have their first lead of the game at 21-16.
Eatonville would take the lead back for good on their next possession. Alex Brymer would run it in from 6 yards out for his second score of the game. Kralik’s kick would sail through and the Cruisers would now lead 23-21 and wouldn’t look back.
Eatonville would pile on 5 more touchdowns. Touchdowns by Caden Jumper (2), Zach Smith, Nick Sawyer, and another by Job Kralik would round out the scoring.
The Cruisers would go on to win the game 57-35 to clinch a berth into the 16 team state tournament.
The Cruisers will now travel to Prosser, WA to take on the Prosser Mustangs in the 1st round of the WIAA state tournament. The game will be played at Prosser HS on Saturday, November 16 at 1:00 pm. Those that are not able to make the trek to Prosser, can listen to the game via live stream by going to www.jeffplace.com and clicking the link there. The broadcast will start 20 minutes prior to kick off.
Stats
Passing - Jumper 10/18 141 yards 2 TD / Smith 4/7 77 yards 1 TD Rushing - Jumper 14 carries 130 yards 2 TD / Brymer 11 caries 67 yards 2 TD / Sawyer 2 carries 13 yards, 1 TD Receiving - Kralik 3 catches 100 yards 2 TD / Smith 6 catches 55 yards 1 TD
