Montesano Stuns Top-Ranked Eatonville, 42-21

If battling injuries and an illness running through the Eatonville football team wasn't enough, the Cruisers were faced with also having to take on an outstanding Montesano team on Friday night that would result in the Bulldogs handing the top-ranked Eatonville Cruisers their first loss of the season, 42-21 at B.W. Lyon Stadium.

Turnovers would plague the Cruisers in this game where they would have one fumble and two interceptions. Two of which would result in Bulldog scores.

On the opening drive, the Bulldog's Tucker Eaton would intercept Cruiser quarterback Job Kralik and return it to the Eatonville 20-yard line. Montesano would punch it in the endzone 4 plays later on an Ethan Blundred 8-yard run to give Montesano an early 7-0 lead.

After an Eatonville three and out and a Montesano turnover on downs, the Cruisers would answer back with an 11-play, 70-yard drive that would be capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Cruiser offensive lineman Kyle Cox to tie the game up at 7-7 at the end of the 1st quarter.

Eatonville offensive lineman Kyle Cox carries the ball for the Cruisers in their 1A Evergreen Conference clash with Montesano this past Friday night. Photo: Trinity Potter

In the second quarter, the two teams went blow-for-blow and the game turned into a "track meet."

The Bulldogs would extend their lead at the 9:42 mark when they would put together a 13-play 67-yard drive that would see quarterback Jayden McElravy find the endzone on a 1-yard carry to put Montesano up 14-7.

The Cruisers would punch back quickly with a 4-play drive that would result in quarterback Job Kralik scoring on a 30-yard keeper. The extra point would be unsuccessful and Montesano would hold on to a 14-13 lead.

Montesano would add to their lead when McElravy would reel off a 50-yard scamper for the score to put the Bulldogs up 21-13.

In true Cruiser fashion, it didn't take long to respond. With just under 5 minutes left in the half, Eatonville would march 63 yards on 8 plays and cap the drive with a Ky Nation 15-yard score. The two-point conversion attempt would be successful as Kyle Cox would run it in to tie the game back up at 21-21.

With a few seconds on the clock, the Bulldogs would finish off the scoring in the first half when backup quarterback Jaxson Wilson found receiver Kaleb Ames in the endzone for a 5-yard touchdown reception to put the Bulldogs back on top 28-21 as the teams headed to the locker room. Wilson came into the game after McElravy would leave the game with a concussion.

Montesano would receive the second-half kickoff and would put together a 10-play, 85-yard drive that would end in a touchdown. Ethan Blundred would pick up his second score of the game on an 8-yard run that put the Bulldogs up by two scores at 35-21.

The second half wasn't a good half for the Cruisers. Their four possessions in the half would result in a fumble, an interception, and two turnovers on downs.

Montesano would find the endzone one last time late in the fourth quarter when Jaxson Wilson would find Kaleb Ames again, this time for a 23-yard touchdown reception to put the Bulldogs up 42-21 and that would be the final score.

Kyle Cox would lead the Cruisers with 91 yards rushing, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion. Job Kralik would pick up 69 yards on the ground and a touchdown before leaving the game due to a helmet-to-helmet hit early in the 4th quarter. Ky Nation would contribute with 51 yards rushing and a touchdown as well.

The Cruisers will try and battle the illness and get all the injuries healed up in time for their next game where they will travel to Elma, WA on Friday, October 21st to face the Elma Eagles in another 1A Evergreen Conference clash. The kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.