The Pe Ell-Willapa Valley football team dipped its toes in the 8-man game on Friday in Winlock, and the Titans came away with a dominant 62-12 victory over the Cardinals.
“I thought our kids came out and established themselves,” PWV coach John Peterson said. “We were ready to play, and we played well. It’s nice to get a win. I thought our kids really played hard, the whole group.”
The Titans struck first immediately, when Blane King returned the opening kickoff 85 yards to open the scoring.
PWV added five more touchdowns in the first, all of which came in a span of just 3:45 of game time. Lucas Lusk ran in three of the TDs, while Spud Swogger and Eddie Clements also added touchdown runs.
Braxton Corder added two touchdowns in the second half, and John Hamilton also hit paydirt on the ground.
The Titans finished with 379 rushing yards, including 136 from Lusk, who hit that mark on just five carries.
Winlock found the end zone twice in the fourth, as Monte Williams was able to connect with D’Wayne Bonner for touchdowns of 54 and 51 yards. Williams finished with 123 passing yards, 113 of which went to Bonner.
Other than that, the Cardinals struggled to get anything going. PWV held them to negative-16 rushing yards and just 181 total yards of offense while also forcing five turnovers.
Ty Jerles came away with an interception, Tyler Frasier and Preston Putman both had two sacks, and Kasey Mark led the team with six tackles (three solo and three assisted).
King, Grady Ruddell, Eddie Clements, and Hank Swartz each recovered a fumble.
PWV (3-1) will return to the 11-man game next Friday, Oct. 3, and head to South Bend to face Raymond-South Bend. Winlock (1-3) will face Northwest Christian (Lacey) at Beaver Stadium the same day.
