Cruisers clip rival Cardinals, 44-7

With Eatonville’s offense running at full steam and the defense dominating, the Cruisers dispatched their longtime rivals the Orting Cardinals, 44-7, Saturday.

The Cruisers wasted no time and got the scoring started on their opening drive. They marched 79 yards capped by a 43-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Kevin Wulff to Jake Wood. Job Kralik put the extra point through the uprights, and the Cruisers took an early 7-0 lead.

After a defensive stand, Eatonville took over at their 41-yard line. Their drive stalled, and the Cruisers settled for a Job Kralik 26-yard field goal to go up 10-0.

Mid-way through the second quarter, Orting’s Elijah Burbridge picked off a Kevin Wulff pass to set up the Cardinals' only scoring drive. Orting marched down the field and capped the drive off with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Mason McCall to Tanner Pealver. With the extra point, the Cardinals cut into the Cruiser lead, 10-7.

Eatonville’s defense tightened up after that and held the Cardinals scoreless the rest of the game while the Cruiser offense kept rolling. The defense forced and recovered two fumbles on the day while picking off McCall twice. Dylan Norman and Reilly McIlraith were the culprits of those interceptions. The stingy Cruiser defense also forced four three-and-outs on the day.

The Cruisers picked up rushing touchdowns on the day from a number of players.

Senior Elijah Stewart scored on a bruising run from 1-yard out, and then Blain Hanly got in on the scoring with a 15-yard carry for a touchdown.

Kralik also scored on a reverse that saw him drop the hand off and then pick it up and weave his way through the Orting defense for the 9-yard touchdown. Kralik converted on 5-of-6 PAT attempts on the day.

Senior Jake Wood picked up his second touchdown of the game when he powered his way into the end zone from 1-yard out.

The Cruisers finished scoring for the day when Wulff connected with Jakob Lucht on a 52-yard strike for his second touchdown pass of the game.

After two games this season, the Cruiser offense has scored 100 points, while the defense has only given up seven points. The Cruisers opened the season Sept. 3 with a 56-0 shellacking of the Franklin Pierce Cardinals.

The Cruisers will load up Saturday and head to Sunset Stadium in Sumner to play their first night game of the season against the winless Cascade Christian Cougars. Kickoff is at 7 pm.

Stat Leaders

Passing:  Kevin Wulff — 20-29 passing for 263 yards; two TD and one interception

Receiving:  Jakob Lucht — four receptions for 104 yards, one TD

Rushing:  Kevin Wulff — 10 rushes, 97 yards.

Cruiser 2021 Season Schedule

Sept. 18 vs. Cascade Christian @ Sunset Stadium in Sumner, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 @ La Center, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 vs. Tenino, 1 p.m.

Oct. 8 @ Montesano, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 vs. Elma, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 vs. Castle Rock, 1 p.m.

Oct. 29 @ Hoquiam, 7 p.m.