Junior Cruisers Kick Off Season
For years, Eatonville was known as a hardcore football town. That title seemed to have diminished slightly in the last 5-6 years, but Eatonville High School's incredible state runner-up finish last season seemed to have re-invigorated this town and has brought back that football passion we have all come to know and love. That passion has made its way down to the junior ranks.
The Eatonville Jr. Cruiser youth football program kicked off its 2022 season this past Saturday and you needed to look no further than B.W. Lyon Field to notice the effects of that re-invigoration.
The Junior Cruisers held their first game of the season at home hosting the White River Wolverines and the number of players and fans that showed up was a sight to see.
After only having roughly 40 kids turn out for the program last season, this year's club had an astounding 77 players turn out. Enough kids to allow the program to field not only their traditional two teams, a 3rd/4th, and 5th/6th-grade team, but it also allowed them to field a 1st/2nd-grade team as well.
New organization President Ryan Watkins and his board have put in countless hours to improve to program for the youth here in Eatonville.
"We are all on the same page. We want to make this program the best it can be for our kids. Our board, coaches, players, and parents are here to show everyone that we are Eatonville Junior Cruisers and this is Cruiser Country", Watkins said.
He went on to add "We had one of the largest turnouts the program has ever seen and while that is great, it also meant we had to buy more gear to accommodate them. We went to work and made it happen".
For those that showed up on Saturday to watch all three teams compete, they were able to also see that re-invigoration from the town.
One parent said, "It's so nice to see such a large crowd come out for the youth program. After the high school had their great success last season, I truly believe that affected the parents and kids in this town and that is evident by this turnout of fans and players out on the field."
While the day started rough for the Jr. Cruisers in the first game seeing the 1/2 team fall to the Wolverines 40-0, the 3/4 team bounced back with a 6-0 victory behind Colby Rath's 5-yard touchdown run. The 5/6 team ended the day by falling to White River by a score of 27-0.
Eatonville's #12 Colby Rath runs the ball into the end zone for the Jr. Cruisers' only touchdown of the day. They would go on to beat the Wolverine's 6-0. Photo: Alyssa Wood.
The Jr Cruisers will host three more games this season at B.W. Lyon Field and invite everyone to come out and witness the making of your future Eatonville HS Cruiser football players.
They will host games on Sept. 17th against Auburn-Riverside, Sept. 24th against Orting, and Oct. 8th against Kent. The 1/2 teams play at 9 am, the 3/4 will play at 10:30 am and the 5/6 will wrap up the day starting at Noon.
Admission: $5/person, $15/family of 4, and children 12 and under are free. Cash only.
2022 Jr. Cruiser Football Schedule:
8/27 White River @ Eatonville HS
9/10 Bonney Lake @ Bonney Lake HS
9/17 Auburn-Riverside @ Eatonville HS
9/24 Orting @ Eatonville HS
10/1 Spanaway Lake @ Spanaway Lake HS
10/8 Kent @ Eatonville HS
10/22 White River @ White River HS
10/29 Orting @ Orting MS
11/5 Playoffs (If qualified)
11/12 Playoffs (If qualified)
