Montesano earned a spot in a regional play-in game with a 31-6 victory over Elma in the East County Civil War on Friday at Davis Field in Elma.
The Bulldogs led 12-o at the half on two touchdown runs from quarterback Jayden McElravy — a 5-yard run at 7:17 of the first quarter and a 10-yard scoring run at the 7:31 mark of the second quarter.
Montesano’s offense exploded in the second half, with senior Isaiah Pierce leading the way.
The senior running back rushed for 174 yards and three scores in the half, scoring on a 25-yard run with 9:23 to go in the third quarter, on a 3-yard run with just under 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, and on an 8-yard run with 7:28 left in the game.
McElravy rushed for 71 yards on 11 carries as both teams found it difficult to complete passes on the muddy grass field.
PHOTO BY SUE MICHALAK BUDSBERG Montesano quarterback Jayden McElravy (11) throws a pass during the Bulldogs’ 31-6 victory over Elma in the East Country Rivalry game on Friday at Davis Field in Elma.
“Field conditions had a big impact on the passing game as we struggled throwing,” Monte head coach Terry Jensen said after McElravy completed just 1-of-7 passes for nine yards. “Give Elma credit with their pass defense also.”
Pierce finished with 255 yards on 23 attempts as Monte rushed for 374 yards as a team.
“Isaiah was a true ‘mudder.’” Jensen said. “Field conditions didn’t seem to bother him.”
Elma (3-4 overall, 1-3 1A Evergreen) scored when running back Emanuel Hernandez broke free for a 70-yard touchdown run with 2:44 left in the game.
The Eagles were without several starters — including its top running-back tandem Conan Baxter and Jarred Bailey — who were out due to injury.
Elma had 183 yards of total offense, with Hernandez (12-71, TD) and Austin Salazar (25-61) leading the way.
Monte linebacker Mateo Sanchez had 14 tackles with Caydon Lovell recovering a fumble and intercepting Elma quarterback Carter Studer in the contest.
Studer went 4-for-12 for 46 yards passing.
With the victory, Montesano (5-3, 2-2) advances to the play-in postseason round as the No. 3 seed out of the 1A Evergreen League.
Elma is eliminated from the postseason with the loss.
Montesano 6 6 7 12 — 31
Elma 0 0 0 6 — 6
Lake Quinault 56, WA School for the Deaf 14
Lake Quinault won its third game in a row with a 56-14 victory over the Washington School for the Deaf on Thursday at Lake Quinault High School.
Due to minor injuries, Elks head coach Melvyn Houtz had to move some of his players into positions they were unfamiliar with.
After falling behind 14-0, Houtz said his team settled in and got to work.
“We figured out their offense and how to stop it,” he said. “Then we just pounded ‘em.”
Jesse Ferry, who moved from quarterback to tailback due to injuries on the Elks roster, rushed for 320 yards on 23 carries and six touchdowns as Lake Quinault scored 56 unanswered points in the victory.
The victory completes a winning season for the Elks, which is “quite the accomplishment” according to Houtz.
Lake Quinault will face Mary M. Knight in a playoff game at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Mary M. Knight High School.
The winner will take on the victor of Northwest Christian-WA School for the Deaf in a 1B District 4 8-man matchup.
Elks (3-2 overall, 1B Coastal – 8-man) had several players playing in different positions.
PHOTO BY BEN WINKELMAN Hoquiam quarterback Zander Jump runs for a touchdown during the Grizzlies’ 40-12 loss to Eatonville on Friday at Olympic Stadium in Hoquiam.
Other games
Eatonville 40, Hoquiam 12
Northwest Christian 73, Wishkah Valley 7
