Cruisers Wrangle Rams, Head To State Semifinals

The Eatonville Cruiser football team knew they would have a tough match-up going into this past Saturday’s game against the Riverside Rams, but the Cruisers were more than up to the task as they came away with a 35-6 victory and a date with the WIAA State 1A Semifinals.

Eatonville's Blain Hanly rumbles towards the end zone for a touchdown after picking off Riverside's Silas Ng in the quarterfinal game on Saturday. The Cruisers would go on to win the game 35-6. Photo: Grace Bamford

Riverside came into the game with a 10-1 record and a powerful rushing attack led by dual-threat quarterback Silas Ng. Entering the game, Ng had rushed for 772 yards and passed for just under 1,000 yards on the season. The Cruisers knew they had to contain him. Eatonville’s defense did a great job of doing just that. They held him to only 60 yards rushing and 56 yards passing on the day. They also held the Rams as a whole to only 125 yards rushing.

Eatonville’s Blain Hanly had a lot to do with that. Hanly seemed to be in the Riverside backfield all game long dropping Riverside running backs for losses on many occasions.

“Our defense knew coming into this game that this was a very physical team and they weren’t going to just give us the game. We planned for this team just like any other and came in with a very strong game plan thanks to our defensive coordinator” commented Hanly.

Head Coach Gavin Kralik is very pleased with the play of his senior linebacker.

“Blain has continued to improve each week. He is a true student of the game. He asks a ton of questions and is never satisfied with a performance. He seems to play the best in the biggest of situations.”

Riverside would score first on their second possession of the game following an Eatonville turnover at midfield. The Rams would drive to the Cruiser 9-yard line before the Cruiser defense held them to a field goal. Riverside would lead for the first and only time in the game, 3-0.

Eatonville’s offense would kick it up a notch in the second quarter.

After forcing a Riverside punt that was downed on the Eatonville 1-yard line, the Cruisers would drive 99 yards and cap the drive off when Kevin Wulff connected with Jakob Lucht on a screen pass from 15 yards out to take a 7-3 lead.

After forcing another Riverside punt, with the ball at the Cruiser 29-yard line and under a minute left in the half, the Cruisers would go to work.

On the first play, Reilly McIlraith would bring down a 46 yard Wulff pass and get out of bounds to stop the clock at 21 seconds. A few plays later, Wulff would then float a nice ball over the shoulder to Job Kralik from 9 yards out for the touchdown to give the Cruisers a 14-3 lead heading into halftime.

Midway through the third quarter, Riverside would be knocking on the door again at the Cruiser 9-yard line. The Eatonville defense would again flex their muscles and hold the Rams to another field goal to cut the Cruiser lead to 8 at 14-6.

Eatonville would waste no time responding. The Cruiser fast-paced offense would drive 77-yards and Job Kralik would find the end zone again, this time on a fly sweep from 10 yards out to put the cruisers up 21-6.

After forcing another Riverside punt, Wulff would find a streaking Kralik across the middle for the score. Eatonville would extend their lead to 28-6.

Eatonville would finish off the scoring on the day when Blain Hanly would pick off a Silas Ng pass and race 35 yards for the score to put the Cruisers ahead, 35-6.

"I read my line and that gave me a pass read so I dropped into my zone. Thankfully our defensive line put great pressure on their QB and he had to get rid of the ball making it a very easy catch. After putting pressure on the QB, our defense blocked the entire way down the field so I could just walk into the end zone," said Hanly about his interception.

The Cruisers' fast-tempo offense took a toll on the Rams' defense down the stretch, which affected the game in the second half.

“We feel like our ability to play with some tempo can really help as long as we are converting first downs and not leaving our defense on the field for extended periods of time, Kralik said.

With the Cruisers moving on to the final four teams in the state, they will now host the #3 seeded Lynden Christian Lyncs in a semifinal matchup that is sure to be Eatonville’s toughest test of the season.

When asked about the Cruisers' next opponent, Kralik knows his team has to play their best.

“It is no surprise that they are in the position they are in. They have a big strong running back and quarterback and are really good on defense. We will need to play really well to win this game. “

Before the game, a group of EHS students planned a tailgate party for fans. It was a great turnout with people grilling up hamburgers and hot dogs and handing out to fans and others bringing Chili and other goodies from home to share. It was nice to see the town of Eatonville show up for this big game.

Cruiser fans gathered in the parking lot before the game for a tailgate party. Photos: Dena Laclef

“Being where we were at last year with having fans having to line up outside of Orting Stadium to watch the game to be in a position where our entire community can share in the joy of playing this late in the season makes it feel that much more special. Our kids feel the connection and love from the student body and greater Eatonville community,” commented Kralik on the huge crowd of Eatonville fans at the game.

As far as stats for the game, quarterback Kevin Wulff would finish the day completing 15 of 20 passes for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns. He would also carry the ball 3 times for 23 yards.

Running back Dylan Norman would carry the majority of the load on the ground for the Cruisers carrying the ball 18 times for 92 yards.

Job Kralik, with a “club” on his hand from a prior injury, would haul in 2 passes for 49 yards and 2 touchdowns and also carry the ball 3 times for 27 yards and a touchdown.

Jakob Lucht would catch 5 passes for 65 yards and a score.

Reilly McIlraith would lead the Cruisers in receiving with 81 yards on 4 catches with his biggest coming right before halftime with a 46-yard catch to set up a Cruiser score.

Next up, the Cruisers will host the Lynden Christian Lyncs in a semifinal game on Saturday, November, 27th at Art Crate Field (Bethel HS). The kickoff will be at 5:00 pm.