Freeman Upsets Eatonville, Ending The Cruisers Season

The Eatonville Cruisers scored first but ultimately failed to stop Freeman when needed and fell to the Scotties 23-17 in the Class 1A quarterfinals, ending the Cruisers' season.

Eatonville's Dylan Norman stiff arms Freeman's Sage Gilbert on his way to a large gain. Norman would finish the night with 126 yards rushing in the Cruisers 23-17 loss to Freeman on Saturday at Art Crate Field. Photo: Trinity Potter

The Cruisers would open up the scoring midway into the 1st quarter when Job Kralik connected on a 37-yard field goal to give Eatonville a 3-0 lead.

The Scotties would respond by driving 88 yards in 6 plays capping the drive with a 53-yard scoring strike from Boen Phelps to Luke Whitaker to put Freeman up 7-3.

After an Eatonville fumble, Freeman struck again. This time on a 10-yard Kanoa Rogan run. The extra point was blocked and the Scotties extended their lead to 13-3.

With Ky Nation in at quarterback, the Cruisers would march 75-yards on 10 plays and find the endzone when Nation hit Job Kralik in stride for the 53-yard score to cut into the Freeman lead at 13-10.

The Scotties would add to their lead when Eatonville's quarterback Job Kralik was flagged for intentional grounding in the endzone which resulted in a safety. That would extend Freeman's lead to 15-10 and the Cruisers would kick the ball back to them.

After forcing a Freeman punt, the Cruisers would have the ball on their 23-yard line with 3:20 left in the half. Eatonville would put together an 11-play, 77-yard drive that saw Kralik carry the ball in from the 1-yard line for the score to give the Cruisers the lead back, 17-15 at the half.

After both teams traded punts to open up the second half, Freeman's Boen Phelp connected with Whitaker again for what looked like a 55-yard score, but Eatonville's Walker Bruun chased Whitaker down and punched the ball free at the goal line. The Cruisers recovered the ball in the endzone for a touchback.

The Cruisers weren't able to capitalize on the touchback and would eventually turn the ball over on downs at their 28-yard line. Five plays later, Phelps would connect with Whitaker again for a 13-yard Freeman score. Phelps would run the ball in for a successful two-point conversion and the Scotties would take the lead back, 23-17.

On their next possession, Eatonville would start 1st and 10 at their 34-yard line. They would move the ball to the Freeman 26, before turning it over on downs.

The Scotties would then drive to the Cruiser 12-yard line where they would turn it over on downs as well.

With 12.4 seconds left in the game, Eatonville would move the ball to the 35-yard line, and with 1.4 seconds left on the clock would have enough time for one last play. That play would ultimately be picked off by the Scotties who downed the ball to seal the victory 23-17.

The Cruisers finished the season with an 8-2 record and were co-champions of the 1A Evergreen Conference.

"I am really proud of this senior class," Head Coach Gavin Kralik said. "They played a big part in accomplishing a 26-4 record over the past three seasons."

Eatonville will graduate nine players from this year's squad. The most notable are quarterback Job Kralik, linebacker/tight end Jake Wood, and linemen Kyle Cox, Tristan Lewis, and Carsen Pero. Kralik has committed to play at Army next year, while Cox has committed to play at Boise State. The trio of Wood, Lewis, and Pero have offers to play somewhere next season but have yet to decide which schools they will commit to.

This loss also marks the end of Gavin Kralik's reign as head coach for the Cruisers as he announced before the season started that he would be stepping down. Kralik ends his head coaching career with a 113-77 record and was 47-18 in his six years as Eatonville's head coach. In those six years, he guided his teams to five state appearances, one league title, two co-league titles, and a runner-up finish at state in 2021.

"I am very thankful for having the opportunity to serve as Head Coach for the past six seasons. Fantastic families, players, coaches, and administrative support have made it very special to coach at Eatonville. It is a very special community atmosphere that is uncommon," Kralik shared after the game.

Defensive Coordinator Rex Norris will take over the helm for the Cruisers.

"I am really excited for Coach Norris and what his leadership will provide to the people that are part of the program. Looking forward to the future of Eatonville football while feeling nothing but gratitude for what the past six years have brought," added Kralik.

FREEMAN 23, EATONVILLE 17

First quarter

E — Job Kralik 37-yard field goal

F — Luke Whitaker 53-yard pass from Boen Phelps (Kick blocked)

F — Kanoa Rogan 10-yard run (Kick blocked)

Second quarter

E — Job Kralik 53-yard pass from Ky Nation (Kralik kick)

F — Safety

E — Job Kralik 1-yard run (Kralik kick)

Fourth quarter

F — Luke Whitaker 3-yard pass from Phelps (2-point conversion, Phelps)