Big Blue Keeps Rolling, Improves to 6-0

For the third week in a row, the Cruisers were tested by a top 10 ranked opponent and again came out on top. This time taking down #8 ranked Montesano 35-18 this past Friday night at Jack Rottle Stadium.

Senior quarterback Kevin Wulff plows into the end zone for one of the Cruisers many touchdowns on the night. The Cruisers would go on to defeat the Montesano Bulldogs 35-18. Photo: Jim Thrall / https://bit.ly/3AuT03w

Montesano (3-2 overall, 0-1 1A Evergreen) would start the game by driving 75 yards on 11 plays and finding the end zone when quarterback Jayden McElravy would keep the ball for a 1-yard score. Eatonville’s Job Kralik would get a hand on the extra point attempt and it would sail wide right. Montesano would lead for the first and only time of the night 6-0 with 7:33 left in the 1st.

Job Kralik breaks through the Montesano line to block the extra point attempt. Kralik would go on to block another extra point attempt later in the game. Photos: Jim Thrall

The Cruisers, on their first possession, would get things started at their 27-yard line. They would put together a 10 play, 73-yard drive that would end with a Blain Hanley 9-yard scoring run. Once Job Kralik's extra point attempt sailed through the uprights, the Cruisers would take the lead at 7-6 and would not relinquish that lead the rest of the night.

On the Bulldogs ensuing possession, they again would drive deep into Cruiser territory. Facing a 4th and 1 at the Cruiser 5-yard line, Eatonville’s defense would flex its muscles and stuff Montesano’s Isaiah Pierce at the line of scrimmage as the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs.

The Cruiser's fast-paced, high-octane offense went right back to work, quickly moving the ball to midfield thanks to a 50-yard pass from Kevin Wulff to receiver Job Kralik. Four plays later, Wulff would find a streaking Jakob Lucht in the corner of the end zone for a 29-yard Cruiser score. Eatonville would extend their lead to 14-6 with 9:50 to play in the 2nd quarter.

Starting at their 34-yard line, the Bulldogs would again drive the field and found itself in an identical 4th and 1 from the 5-yard line. Again, the Cruiser defense stepped up and corralled Isaiah Pierce at the line of scrimmage creating Montesano’s second turnover on downs in the Cruiser red zone in as many possessions.

Eatonville would take a 14-6 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the Cruiser offense turned up the heat on the Bulldogs with an eye on putting the game out of reach.

Eatonville would score three times in the 2nd half. Jake Wood would find the end zone on a 1-yard dive up the middle, quarterback Kevin Wulff would score on a 6-yard keeper and Job Kralik would finish out the scoring for the Cruisers when he stepped in front of a Jayden McElravy pass and outraced the defenders for an 80-yard interception return for the score.

Montesano would score two more times in the second half. Job Kralik would again block one of the extra points and then the Cruiser defense would again step up and deny the Bulldogs 2-point conversion attempt on their last score of the game.

The Cruisers celebrate after their 35-18 victory over Montesano. Photo: Grace Bamford Photography

The Cruisers record improves to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in Evergreen 1A league play.

On Friday Oct. 15th, the Cruisers will host the Elma Eagles in another Evergreen 1A contest for Homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm with the Homecoming court announced at halftime.

Game Stat Leaders

Passing: Kevin Wulff - 9/13 for 171 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing: Dylan Norman - 13 carries for 97 yards

Receiving: Job Kralik - 5 catches 98 yards, 2 blocked PAT’s, 80-yard interception returned for TD

Tackles: Blain Hanley - 15 tackles

Sacks: Zach Barnett (2), Chase Grant (1), Waylan Mettler (1)