Cruiser Football Clips Hornets, 33-21
In his final game as a Cruiser, Senior Caden Jumper would go out with a bang. The University of Washington signee would throw for 166 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 110 more and a touchdown as Eatonville secured a 33-21 victory.
Head Coach Gavin Kralik reflected on what Jumper has meant to not only the football program but also the Eatonville community these past four years.
“Caden did so much for our team on and off the field. How he has treated the younger kids in our community that look up to him through coaching youth football and just being the person he is will be the greatest legacy he leaves. His talents on the football field are obvious but his investment in the next generation of Eatonville youth is something I am very proud of.”
The Cruisers, ranked #8 in the state in the 1A classification, would bring their balanced offensive attack and stingy defense to Art Crate Field looking to stop the punishing ground attack that the #4 ranked 2A Hornets would bring.
The Cruiser defense was up to the task and did a great job slowing the Hornet ground game.
“Our defense played great. Enumclaw really is known for having a physical rushing attack. For our kids to take their rushing game away from them demonstrated the hard work put in by our defensive staff and players,” Kralik said.
The Cruisers would get on the board first after some stingy defense forced Enumclaw to punt. Job Kralik would break through the Hornet’s special teams and block the punt attempt. Austin Wicker would be right there to scoop up the ball and ramble a few yards into the end zone for the score. Kralik would put the extra point attempt through the uprights to give Eatonville an Early 7-0 lead.
The Cruisers would extend that lead when Jumper would find Jakob Lucht down the sideline for the 57 yard score. Kralik’s kick would make it 14-0 Eatonville.
With a little over 2 minutes left in the first half, the Hornets would get on the board when Cameron Brauer would connect with Dylan Watterson for a 33 yard scoring strike. After the extra point, the Hornets would cut into the Cruiser lead and trail 14-7.
A personal foul on Watterson after the touchdown catch would back the Hornets up on the ensuing kickoff and give the Cruisers great field position at the 47 yard line.
Jumper would waste no time answering back. He would find a streaking Kralik down the sideline for a 55 yard touchdown. Kralik’s kick would be blocked and the Cruisers would extend their lead to 20-7.
The Hornets would answer back by going the length of the field in under two minutes and cap it off when quarterback Cameron Brauer would be flushed out of the pocket and run it in for the score. After the extra point, the Cruisers would take a 20-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Eatonville would strike early in the 3rd quarter when Jumper would find Lucht again for the score. This time Lucht would make an acrobatic catch in the corner of the end zone for the score. The Cruiser’s two point conversion attempt would be stopped and they would lead 26-14.
The Hornets would score again when Brauer would keep the ball and dive into the end zone for the score. After the extra point, they would pull to within five at 26-21.
With about two minutes left in the game, the Cruisers would put the game away for good when Jumper would link up with Kralik for the second time on the day for a 23 yard score. After the kick, Eatonville would lead 33-21.
The Hornets would continue to try and claw their way back into the game by driving down to the Eatonville 21 yard line before Justus Roulst would pick off Brauer at the 7 yard line to thwart the Hornet comeback. The Cruisers would then run the clock out to pick up the win.
With that win, the Cruisers end their season with a 5-1 overall record and earned a share of the SPSL 2A title with the Steilacoom Sentinels. The Sentinels have on more game left on April 2nd. If they should lose that game, the Cruisers would win the league title outright.
Game Stats
Caden Jumper – 7 for 8 passing for 166 yards, 4 TD. 18 carries for 110 yards, 1 TD.
Job Kralik – 4 catches for 99 yards, 2 TD
Jakob Lucht – 3 catches for 67 yards, 2 TD
Austin Wicker – Recovered block punt for a TD
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