Dylan Norman Runs Wild In Cruiser Win

Eatonville's massive offensive line manhandled the Cascade Christian defense and opened running lanes all night for running back Dylan Norman to run wild over the Cougars allowing him to rush for a career-high and season-high 240 yards and 3 touchdowns as he led the Cruisers to a 35-7 win over Cascade Christian on Thursday night.

Eatonville’s Dylan Norman breaks free for a 54-yard touchdown in the 1st quarter of the Cruisers 35-7 win over Cascade Christian on Thursday night. Norman would finish with 240 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns on the night. Photo - Alyssa Wood

Norman's 240 yards rushing on the night is the most by any Cruiser since Caden Jumper rushed for 258 yards against River Ridge in 2019.

When asked about his career and season-high performance, Norman deflected all praise to his line.

"I have to say it really comes down to my offensive line and how well they did for me. As a running back, I can only do so much on my own. So all the credit goes to them".

Norman said will be treating that offensive line he mentioned to some donuts.

"I also have to buy them donuts now because I went over 100 yards. Every time I rush for over 100 yards, I get them donuts".

It's a good thing Norman has a part-time job because I have a feeling he will be buying a lot of donuts this season.

Eatonville would start the scoring early in the game on their first possession. After a significant kick return by Ky Nation which set the Cruisers up at their 41-yard line, on the second play from scrimmage, Dylan Norman took an option pitch from quarterback Job Kralik and raced his way 54 yards untouched for the score to give the Cruisers an early 7-0 lead.

Eatonville would strike again midway through the second quarter when Kralik would connect with Walker Bruun on a 17-yard pass down the middle for the touchdown to make it 14-0.

Norman would pick up his second touchdown on the evening land in the second quarter with a 2-yard scamper that would increase the Cruiser lead to 21-0.

With under a minute to go, the Cruisers would finish off their first half scoring when Norman would find the endzone for his third and final score of the night when he plunged in from 1-yard out to send the teams into halftime with the Cruisers up 28-0.

Eatonville's final score of the night would come with about 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter and would be set up when Ky Nation picked off a Cade Sando pass at the Cougar 3-yard line.

The Cruisers would string together a 19-play, 97-yard drive that ended with quarterback Job Kralik keeping the ball and running off the left side of the line for the score to put the Cruisers up 35-0.

Cascade Christian would find the endzone at the start of the 4th quarter when quarterback Cade Sando would connect with Kai Mingming for the 19-yard touchdown to make it 35-7, which would be the final score.

Defensively, Eatonville would hold the Cougars to season lows in passing and rushing. After averaging 349 yards passing in their first two games, the Cruisers held them to only 126 yards through the air while intercepting Sando twice on the night.

"The quarterback and receivers for CCHS are very capable and will have a lot of success this season. We knew that and made it a focus this past week in practice. The kids made sure they communicated in the secondary and it helped limit the Cougars success" praised defensive coordinator Rex Norris.

The Cruisers would hold The Cougars to only 86 yards on the ground, much lower than their 170-yard average on the season. Overall, a very good defensive effort was put in by Eatonville.

"We were able to slow their ground game with strong defensive line play and team pursuit. We still have a lot to work on, but we are pleased with the progress of the defense" Norris went on to say.

With that win, the Cruisers improve to 3-0 on the season and will prepare for their next opponent, the Bellevue Christian Vikings (2-1) who they will host at B.W. Lyon Stadium on Friday, Sept. 23rd at 7 pm.

During halftime of that game, Eatonville High School will induct four Cruiser alumni into the Eatonville High School Athletic Hall of Fame.