Cruisers Hunt Timberwolves - Fowler, Herbrand lead the pack

Quarterback Cole Fowler turned in a nearly flawless performance Friday night, throwing for 281 yards, four touchdowns through the air and one on the ground to lead Eatonville past Clover Park 35-14 in a nonleague matchup. The win improved the Cruisers to 2-1 on the season.

The Eatonville Cruiser football team storms onto the field at Yelm High School prior to their game against the Clover Park Timberwolves. The Cruisers would go on to defeat Clover Park 35-14 to notch their first 2A SPSL League win of the season and improve to 2-1. Photo: Rylea Foehl

"I felt like our kids made a big jump from week 2 to week 3 collectively," Head Coach Gavin Kralik said. "At this point in the season it is a race to get better. I credit our kids' commitment in practice as a huge contributor to their rate of improvement. The kids are very coachable and staying very connected to each other at this point in the season."

Fowler completed 12 of 15 passes without an interception, spreading the ball efficiently and striking for big plays through the air. His top target was wide-out Colton Herbrand, who hauled in five catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns, consistently beating defenders for explosive gains. Receiver Jacob Simons added four receptions for 90 yards and two scores, giving Eatonville a potent one-two punch in the passing game that the Timberwolves couldn’t contain.

The Cruisers were steady on the ground as well. Running back Connor McIlraith carried 12 times for 90 yards, setting the tone between the tackles, while Fowler chipped in with two carries for 23 yards, including a touchdown run. In all, Eatonville rolled up 458 yards of total offense — 281 through the air and 177 on the ground — while finding the end zone five times.

Clover Park opened the scoring on its first possession, marching 84 yards from its own 16 and finishing with a 21-yard touchdown run at the 5:20 mark of the first quarter. The extra point gave the Timberwolves a 7-0 lead.

Eatonville responded immediately. Taking over at the Clover Park 41-yard line, Fowler connected with Herbrand for a 46-yard touchdown strike just 27 seconds later. Benjamin Bernt drilled the extra point to tie the game at 7-7 with 4:53 left in the opening frame.

The first quarter closed with the score still knotted, but Eatonville’s defense delivered the game’s first momentum shift early in the second. Clover Park fumbled on its next possession, and Axel Stammen pounced on the loose ball at the Cruiser 33-yard line.

Fowler quickly capitalized a few plays later, finding Simons in the end zone on a 16-yard touchdown pass. Bernt again converted the PAT, giving Eatonville its first lead at 14-7 with 8:16 remaining before halftime.

Clover Park pushed back, driving into Eatonville territory and reaching the 27-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Eatonville then marched the other way, advancing as far as the Timberwolves’ 6-yard line, but a 23-yard field goal attempt missed as time expired, leaving the Cruisers ahead 14-7 at the half.

Eatonville wasted little time extending its advantage after the break. On the first drive of the third quarter, Fowler hit Simons in stride for a 64-yard scoring strike. Bernt’s extra point pushed the lead to 21-7 with 11:01 left in the quarter.

After forcing Clover Park to punt, the Cruisers padded their cushion. Fowler kept the ball on a read-option play and raced 21 yards to the end zone. The score gave Eatonville a commanding 28-7 lead with 4:58 remaining in the third.

The Timberwolves trimmed the deficit before the end of the frame. Starting from their own 41-yard line, they drove into the red zone and capped the possession with an 11-yard touchdown reception. The extra point cut the Eatonville lead to 28-14 with 1:07 left in the third.

Eatonville put the game away early in the fourth. Starting from their own 15-yard line, Fowler again looked deep and found Herbrand for a 45-yard touchdown connection, their second scoring hookup of the night. Bernt stayed perfect on extra points, and the Cruisers extended their lead to 35-14 with 10:47 to play.

Clover Park nearly answered immediately, but a fumble at the goal line allowed Jacob Simons to attempt to recover the ball in the end zone. A Clover Park player then ripped it from his hands, and Eatonville’s Axel Stammen ultimately recovered the loose ball, giving the Cruisers possession at their own 20-yard line and Stammen’s second fumble recovery of the game. The Cruisers’ ensuing drive stalled at the 37, and Clover Park regained possession after a punt.

The Timberwolves advanced as far as the Eatonville 27-yard line before turning the ball over on downs once more. With the game in hand, backup quarterback Ben Smith entered for the Cruisers. After a series of running plays, Eatonville lined up in victory formation and drained the final seconds off the clock.

Eatonville will return to action next Friday, Sept. 26, when it faces Foss at Mount Tahoma High School Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.

STATS

Passing

Fowler, 12/15 281, 4 TD's 0 INT,

Receiving

Herbrand 5/175, 2 TD

Simons 4/90, 2 TD

Samuel 1/6

Doll 1/7

Smith 1/3

Rushing

McIlraith 12/90

Campbell 3/26

Fowler 2/23, TD

Smith 2/21

Pruitt 3/13

Buchholz 2/4

Kicking

Bernt 5/5 PAT

Bernt 0/1 FG, 22 yard Miss

Team Total Offense

12/15 passing, 281 yards, 4 TD

24 rushes, 177 yards, 1 TD