Kelso came into Chehalis on Friday night with an undefeated record, but left the Mint City with a loss as the Bearcats played what coach Bob Wollan called their most complete game of the season in a 30-12 nonleague victory.
Quarterback Elijah Johnson rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another as W.F. West evened its record at 3-3.
“We did a lot of really good job things as a group,” Wollan said. “We played well in all phases of the game: special teams, defense and offense. Our offensive line really asserted themselves and we were physical running the football.”
W.F. West finished with 200 rushing yards and the field appeared to be tilted in the Bearcats favor from the get-go. Kelso was halted on its first drive and, upon getting the ball back, the Bearcats marched downfield, helped along by Austin Emery’s 45-yard run — which allowed Johnson to run it into the end zone from a yard out.
“Kelso is a real quality opponent and we really knew we had to get out and get going early,” Wollan said.
The Bearcats used a balanced ball-control offense on their second drive and drove down the field for six minutes — converting twice on fourth down — and finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run by Johnson.
A 10-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Dakota Hawkins with 15 seconds until halftime helped the Bearcats take a 20-0 lead into the break.
Cory Davis hit a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter, and then Matt Flores finally got Kelso on the board with a 21-yard touchdown run. Johnson scored his fourth touchdown of the night in the final stanza, running in from 10 yards, while Kelso added a largely cosmetic rushing touchdown from quarterback A.J. Hoggatt.
Johnson finished with 98 rushing yards on 14 carries along with 109 passing yards, while Austin Emery added 72 yards on 12 rushes.
The Bearcat defense held Kelso to 157 yards of total offense, despite missing the services of injured linebacker Kolby Steen. Cody Miller stepped in and provided strong play at middle linebacker, Wollan said.
“He was a leader tonight and his performance was pretty inspirational,” Wollan said of Miller.
Nathan Anglin finished with 58 yards receiving on three catches and the Bearcats finished 313 yards of total offense.
W.F. West (3-3, 1-0 league) plays at Prairie on Friday.
