*This story will be updated
ANACORTES — The Port Angeles football team played the No. 2-ranked Anacortes dead even in the second half, but unfortunately, turnovers and mistakes gave the Seahawks an early 34-0 lead that the Roughriders had no chance to make up.
Both teams scored a touchdown in the second half as Anacortes went on to win 41-7.
“I liked their grit and fight,” Port Angeles coach Dustin Clark said.”[But] we turned the ball over too much. It’s hard to beat a good team with six turnovers.”
The turnovers came on a combination of fumbles and bad snaps
Anacortes took advantage of those turnovers with some big runs by Brock Beaner, including a 74-yard touchdown on the Seahawks’ first play from scrimmage. He finished with 153 yards rushing.
Anacortes got up 20-0 in the first quarter and took a 34-0 lead into the half. After the half, it was a different game as the Riders pretty much held their own.
“After the middle of the second quarter, we settled down,” Clark said. “It took our guys some time to settle down.”
Kason Albaugh had some big plays in the second half with a 15-yard run, a 19-yard run and a 23-yard pass reception. The Riders scored their touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 24-yard pass play from Parker Nickerson to Blake Sohlberg.
Sohlberg also had an interception in the end zone. It was his fourth interception of the season already. Nickerson also had an interception in the end zone. Landyn Jones also had a tackle at the goal-line to prevent a touchown. The next play was Sohlberg’s INT.
Albaugh finished the game with 87 yards rushing on 24 carries and four catches for 48 yards. Nickerson went 9-for-20 passing with 93 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Jason Hawes had seven carries for 24 hard, while Sohlberg had three catches for 42 yards and a touchdown.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Riders this weekend as they will play No. 2 and No. 1 back-to-back. Port Angeles opens its home season playing No. 1-ranked North Kitsap at Civic Field at 7 p.m. Friday. North Kitsap did get beat by Tumwater, a 2A football powerhouse, 34-14 on Friday, so the Vikings may lose that No. 1 ranking to Anacortes.
Anacortes 41, Port Angeles 7
PA 0 0 0 7
Anac. 20 14 0 7
Clallam Bay 36, Wishkah Valley 14
WISHKAH VALLEY — The Clallam Bay Bruins won their six-man season opener 36-14 over Wishkah Valley.
“It was a great gmae. An excellent event,” said coach George Patecek.
Patecek said that William Hull had a great game on offense for the Bruins, while Dillon Simmons had a great game on defense.
