New Stadium, Same Swagger: Cruisers Blank Sequim 28-0

The Eatonville High School football team opened the 2026 season with a bang Friday night.

Eatonville junior Sam Kralik hauls in a 56-yard touchdown reception to give the Cruisers a 28-0 lead during Friday night’s season-opening victory over Sequim. Photo: Heather Quirie

Playing in front of a packed crowd at the new Arrow Lumber Stadium at B.W. Lyon Field, the Cruisers christened their new stadium and turf field in the best way possible, shutting out the Sequim Wolves 28-0 in a nonleague matchup.

The game was stopped with 8:09 remaining in the second quarter after the coaches agreed to end the contest because of multiple injuries suffered by Sequim.

Before kickoff, Rosie Thun made a thrilling entrance from the sky, jumping from a plane above the stadium and parachuting onto the brand-new field.

After Thun landed, an Eatonville Junior Cruiser cheerleader presented her with the official game ball. Thun then delivered the ball to the referees to get the night underway.

The Cruisers followed with their signature entrance, breaking through a banner and charging onto B.W. Lyon Field to the roar of chainsaws and a fired-up home crowd.

Eatonville carried that energy directly onto the field.

The Cruisers received the opening kickoff and began their first possession at their own 25-yard line. Eatonville marched down the field before Colston Bruun carried the ball into the end zone from 7 yards out, scoring the first touchdown of the season and the first touchdown in the new stadium.

Ben Bernt converted the extra point to give Eatonville a 7-0 lead with 8:06 remaining in the first quarter.

Sequim began its opening possession at its own 33 and picked up what would be its only first down of the game. The Wolves eventually punted from their 41, with the ball downed at the Eatonville 19.

It took the Cruisers just one play to strike again.

Quarterback Cole Fowler found a wide-open Amari Samuel, who raced down the field for an 81-yard touchdown. Bernt added the extra point, extending Eatonville’s lead to 14-0 with 4:59 left in the opening quarter.

After the ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, Sequim started at its own 35. The Eatonville defense forced a three-and-out, and a high snap on the punt attempt sailed over the punter’s head. He recovered the ball at the Sequim 2, giving the Cruisers excellent field position.

Ben Smith powered through the defense for a 2-yard touchdown on Eatonville’s first play. Bernt remained perfect on extra-point attempts, giving the Cruisers a 21-0 advantage with 3:15 remaining in the first quarter.

Sequim returned the following kickoff to its own 26, but the Cruiser defense forced another three-and-out. Ryder Herbrand called for a fair catch on the punt, and Eatonville took over at its own 43.

The Cruisers carried a 21-0 lead into the second quarter.

Eatonville’s next drive stalled near midfield, and Jacob Simons’ punt was downed at the Sequim 8. The Cruiser defense again stood tall, forcing another three-and-out and making the Wolves punt from their own end zone.

The punt rolled dead at the Sequim 46, but a penalty against Eatonville backed the Cruisers up to their own 44.

Once again, Fowler and the Eatonville offense did not need long to capitalize.

Fowler connected with a streaking Sam Kralik, who beat his defender and raced to the end zone for a 56-yard touchdown. Bernt converted his fourth extra point of the night, extending the lead to 28-0 with 9:08 remaining in the second quarter.

Sequim returned the ensuing kickoff to its own 26. Following another Wolves injury, the coaches agreed to end the game with 8:09 left before halftime.

Fowler completed 5 of 7 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Smith led the rushing attack with 40 yards and a touchdown on six carries, while Bruun scored on his only carry of the night.

Samuel caught two passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. Trenton Prater finished with two receptions for 25 yards, and Kralik had one catch for 56 yards and a score.

Eatonville’s defense dominated from start to finish, holding Sequim to one first down and 44 yards of total offense. The Cruisers did not allow the Wolves to cross midfield.

Following the game, Eatonville High School recognized five remarkable individuals whose accomplishments helped shape the athletic legacy of the school.

Similar to a Ring of Honor found in collegiate and professional stadiums, “Eatonville Legends” celebrates individuals whose achievements represent significant and historic moments in Cruiser athletics.

The inaugural group included coach Steve Gervais, Brandon Jumper, Tom Zurfluh, Bobby Lucht and Jenny Baker.

Gervais served as Eatonville’s head football coach from 1977 through 1992, leading the Cruisers to state championships in 1985, 1990 and 1992. He later won three more state titles at Skyline High School and finished his remarkable coaching career with more than 250 victories and six state championships.

Jumper played running back for the Cruisers from 1984 through 1987 and was a member of Eatonville’s 1985 state championship team. He finished his high school career as Washington’s all-time leading rusher with 5,910 yards.

Zurfluh completed his career as the top kick scorer in Washington state history and set the state record for points scored by a kicker in a single season. His game-winning field goal in double overtime of the 1992 state semifinal sent Eatonville to the state championship game. He also earned 14 varsity letters during his time as a Cruiser.

Lucht was a three-time All-State quarterback who set the Washington state record for career touchdown passes with 132, a total that also established the national high school record at the time. He finished his career with 8,938 passing yards and helped lead Eatonville to the 1992 state championship.

Baker was a three-time All-State selection and two-time State Player of the Year who helped lead the Cruisers to the 2005 state soccer championship. She finished her career with 146 goals, ranking third in Washington state history across all classifications, and was named an NSCAA High School All-American in 2004 and 2005.

Next up, the Cruisers will welcome the Black Hills Wolves to Arrow Lumber Stadium for a week two matchup. Eatonville has beaten Black Hills in each of their past two meetings and will look to make it three straight when the teams meet Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m.