SILVERDALE — Neah Bay High School’s football team made an awfully long drive for a short game Friday night, flattening King’s Way Christian in a Class 1B preliminary playoff football game.

The contest was halted at halftime due to the 1B classification’s 45-point mercy rule.

Neah Bay (11-0) utilized a strong mix of the rush and the pass and some timely turnovers in storming to a 36-0 lead after the first quarter.

“They crowded the line of scrimmage on us so we needed to attack what the defense was giving us,” Red Devils coach Tony McCaulley said.

“We feel we are coming on offensively and getting better each week [and this game proved that].”

Neah Bay quarterback Drexler Doherty connected with 6-foot 4-inch Robert Moss on three touchdown passes of 20, 3, and 32 yards in the first quarter.

The junior play-caller finished 6-of-7 for 97 yards and the three passing scores.

Red Devil running backs Evan Bowechop and Titus Pascua added rushing touchdowns of 15 and 4 yards in the opening period.

Leyton Doherty later connected with Bowechop on a 51 yard touchdown strike and Bowechop put the game over the 45-point mercy rule with a 57 yard interception return, both scores coming in the second quarter.

With the win, Neah Bay advances to a first round matchup with Lake Quinault (7-2) in the 1B State Playoffs next weekend.

The game is tenatively set for Friday, again at Silverdale Stadium.

Neah Bay tagged the Elks 38-16 in the Red Devils second game of the season.

“I think we surprised them,” McCaulley said.

“They 45-pointed us the year before and they had some turnovers [but] they are well-coached and hit hard.”