PORT TOWNSEND — Chimacum’s second half rally fell five points short as they lost 21-16 to Klahowya Thursday night at Memorial Athletic Field.

After trailing Klahowya 18-3 after two quarters, the Cowboys quickly showed they had no intention of rolling over.

On the first play from scrimmage in the second half, running back Mel Thornton scored on a 53-yard touchdown run to cut the Eagles’ lead to 18-10.

The Chimacum defense maintained the momentum started by Thornton’s run.

Led by Daryl Settlemire, Seth Ham, Dustin Finley and Mike Nordberg, the Cowboys held Klahowya’s offense to a field goal in the last two quarters.

With 1:46 left in the game, Thornton reached the end zone again, this time from eight yards out.

But the Cowboys were unable to pull off an on-side kick, and their comeback attempt was halted.

Chimacum was doomed by penalties, particularly in the red zone, and big plays.

Trailing 12-3 with a minute left in the first half, Cowboys quarterback Alex Morris threw an interception on third and 15 from the Klahowya 19 yard line.

On the next play, Eagles quarterback Jacob Sheets found wide receiver Josh Ganowski for an 89-yard touchdown pass that made the score 18-3, a deficit that proved insurmountable for Chimacum.

Klahowya 21, Chimacum 16

Klahowya 6 12 3 0— 21

Chimacum 0 3 7 6— 16

First Quarter

KLA—Latrell Simpson 3 run (kick failed)

Second Quarter

CHIM—Alex Morris 23 field goal

KLA—Josh Ganowski 12 pass from Jacob Sheets (kick failed)

KLA—Ganowski 89 pass from Sheets (kick failed)

Third Quarter

CHIM—Thornton 53 run (Morris kick)

KLA—Kasey Trask 24 field goal

Fourth Quarter

CHIM—Thornton 8 run (run failed)

Other Thursday scores:

Girls Soccer

Klahowya 6, Sequim 0

Bellevue Christian7, Chimacum 0

Boys Tennis

North Kitsap 4, Sequim 3