Cruisers celebrate Senior Night with a big win over Elma

On a picturesque Thursday night at B.W. Lyon Field, the Eatonville Cruisers dazzled their hometown crowd, putting on a show on Senior Night as they broke a two-game losing streak with a dominant 44-0 victory over the Elma Eagles.

The evening began with a touching pre-game ceremony in which the team, parents, and community came together to honor the 17 graduating seniors who have dedicated themselves to the Cruisers’ program. Those 17 student/athletes are Memphis Barney, Griffin Clevenger, Isaiah Duncan, Aiden Eichost, Payton Hanly, Max Henley, Alex Hoefs, Keagan Kinzer, Hunter Klumpar, Riley McFadden, Dylan Norman, Jacob Ostendorf, Favien Pina, Boedy Porter, Sierra Rogers (Team Manager), Keith Smith, Riley Storm and Evan Wimbles.

The Cruisers delivered one of their most complete performances of the season. They moved to 8-0 all-time against the Elma Eagles. This win also secures second place in the 1A Evergreen League, giving them the No. 2 seed in the District 4 playoffs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Eatonville’s offense fired on all cylinders, scoring on every possession except for one. Quarterback Hunter Klumpar displayed exceptional accuracy, completing 11-of -13 passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns. The team showed discipline with zero turnovers and minimal penalties, committing only four infractions.

The game’s tone was set early, as the Cruisers wasted no time. On their first possession, a 60-yard drive, aided by a gutsy fake punt by punter Griffin Clevenger, led to senior Boedy Porter’s 3-yard touchdown run. The conversion attempt fell short, putting Eatonville ahead 6-0.

Eatonville’s stifling defense forced the Eagles into a quick three-and-out, granting them excellent field position. Another fake punt, this time connecting with Riley McFadden for a 35-yard gain, set the stage for senior Evan Wimbles’ 5-yard touchdown run. Despite a failed conversion attempt, the Cruisers extended their lead to 12-0.

The Eagles’ struggles continued as McFadden showcased his versatility, intercepting a pass and sprinting 65 yards for a pick-six. Colton Herbrand’s extra point put the Cruisers ahead 19-0.

Eatonville’s offensive onslaught remained relentless as they executed a brilliantly deceptive trick play. In this ingenious maneuver, Klumpar pitched the ball to Payton Hanly, who then delivered a precision pass to Clevenger, resulting in a remarkable 44-yard touchdown. Although the ensuing conversion attempt fell short, the scoreboard still displayed a commanding 25-0 lead for Eatonville.

During the Eagles’ subsequent possession, Eatonville’s Boedy Porter evidently wasn’t content with just scoring the opening touchdown of the evening. In a pivotal moment, with Elma facing a challenging 4th and 8 from their own 37-yard line, Jacob Meadows received the snap and attempted to punt the ball. However, Porter’s determination and agility shone through as he broke through the left side of the Eagle line, successfully blocking the punt and setting up excellent field position. Capitalizing on this opportunity, Klumpar connected with junior Michael Stogsdill for another touchdown, although the extra point attempt unfortunately veered wide right, leaving the score at 31-0 at halftime.

SECOND HALF

After the break, the Eagles hoped to stage a comeback, but the Cruisers’ defense held firm, forcing another punt. A balanced Eatonville offense led by Klumpar found junior Ky Nation for a 10-yard touchdown pass, and this time the extra point was good, expanding the lead to 38-0.

Eatonville’s defense continued to dominate, denying the Eagles any points and forcing a turnover on downs. Freshman Cole Fowler led the Cruisers on a 10-play drive culminating in senior Max Henley’s 2-yard touchdown run, bringing the final score to 44-0.

Eatonville’s performance on the field was a testament to their remarkable offensive balance, with 25 rushing attempts and 22 passes, culminating in their highest point total of the season. This exceptional showing handed Elma their highest point total conceded this season.

During the game, the Cruisers displayed an impressive depth in their offensive lineup. Eleven different players had their turn carrying the ball, showcasing the team’s versatility. Notably, senior Dylan Norman shone as he led the team with an impressive 86 yards gained on 10 carries.

The receiving corps also demonstrated their diversity, with a total of nine players contributing to the passing game. This highlighted the team’s wide array of talents. Among these skilled receivers, junior Michael Stogsdill emerged as a standout, making a significant impact with four catches for 61 yards and a well-deserved touchdown.

Defensively, the Cruisers held the Eagles to just 156 yards of total offense, their lowest of the season and marking Elma’s first scoreless game of the season.

NEXT UP

After securing an impressive victory, the Cruisers are set to wrap up the regular season with a Friday night showdown at historic Olympic Stadium in Hoquiam, facing off against the Hoquiam Grizzlies.