MOSES LAKE — The Neah Bay football team was within a touchdown of Wilbur-Creston-Keller late in the third quarter, but gave up 20 straight points in less than 12 minutes to lose touch with the Wildcats in a 50-22 loss in the opening round of the 1B state football playoffs Saturday evening.
The Red Devils, a No. 9 seed, were right with No. 8 seed WCK after Jodell Wimberley scored on a 34-yard touchdown, his third score of the game, with five minutes left in the third quarter. After a Julian Carrick pass to Neil Bowechop for a two-point conversion, Neah Bay was down just 30-22 with 17 minutes left in the game.
However, the Wildcats quickly scored a touchdown less than two minutes later to make it 36-22.
The next two times Neah Bay had the ball, the Red Devils turned the ball over on downs and WCK responded with two more quick touchdowns to put the game out of reach. Neah Bay also had two lost fumbles in the fourth quarter.
Neah Bay finished its season 5-3.
The Red Devils briefly took a lead in the first minute of the game on a Wimberley 25-yard touchdown run. Carrick converted a two-point conversion to give the Red Devils an 8-0 lead.
WCK responded with 22 straight points, but Neah Bay got back to within one score in the second quarter on a Wimberley 45-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 22-14.
Quilcene
The Quilcene Rangers (8-1), seeded No. 3 in the state, got a first-round bye in the state 1B tournament and will play next weekend against Winlock (9-1). Winlock, a No. 11 seed, won its first-round game Saturday 64-60 over DeSales.
Quilcene’s game is set to be played at Sammamish High School either Friday or Saturday. The winner of this game will be in the state 1B semifinals.
Sequim volleyball
SEQUIM — Sequim, which beat Olympic on Saturday in the bi-district volleyball tournament to qualify for the state 2A tournament, was given a No. 14 seed at state.
Sequim (13-7 overall) will begin by playing No. 3 seed Ridgefield (17-2) at 7 a.m. Friday. The Wolves will then play at 2:15 p.m. Friday if they lose their first match, or 4:15 p.m. Friday if they win against either No. 11 seed Enumclaw or No. 6 seed Lynden. The tournament continues Saturday for winners of the second-round game.