Enumclaw takes home bridge trophy, again

Enumclaw High scored a pair of early touchdowns Friday night, setting the stage for a wire-to-wire victory in the annual Battle of the Bridge. When the clock reached all zeroes at historic Sheets Field in downtown Buckley, the host White River Hornets were on the losing end of a 39-24 score. It was the fourth year in a row Enumclaw High has had its way with its cross-river rivals.

By Kevin Hanson • September 9, 2015 12:41 pm
Leading up to the “Battle of the Bridge” – the annual football contest between Enumclaw and White River high schools – cheerleaders from each side of the river came together last week to re-create a photograph originally taken in 1969.
Leading up to the “Battle of the Bridge” – the annual football contest between Enumclaw and White River high schools – cheerleaders from each side of the river came together last week to re-create a photograph originally taken in 1969.

Enumclaw High scored a pair of early touchdowns Friday night, setting the stage for a wire-to-wire victory in the annual Battle of the Bridge.

When the clock reached all zeroes at historic Sheets Field in downtown Buckley, the host White River Hornets were on the losing end of a 39-24 score. It was the fourth year in a row Enumclaw High has had its way with its cross-river rivals.

Friday’s contest marked the season opener for both the Class 3A Enumclaw High squad and the smaller Class 2A White River bunch. With the win, Enumclaw retains possession of the 5-foot traveling trophy that goes to the winner.

White River opened the game with a lost fumble and a punt, each setting the stage for a scoring toss from Enumclaw quarterback Scotty Garvin to Jordan Johnson. When White River turned the ball over again on an interception in the second quarter, Enumclaw again took advantage; the score ballooned to 20-0 when Dan Heep bulled his way into the end zone.

White River’s effort to turn things around began with a TD toss from Trevor Johnson to TylerMeadows and continued when Matt Funkhouser nailed a field goal near the end of the second quarter. Meadows and continued when Matt Funkhouser nailed a field goal near the end of the second quarter.

Struggling for control of the 5-foot trophy back in ‘69 were Enumclaw’s Jill Jensen, left, and White River’s Gail Emry. In the current photo, taken the afternoon of Aug. 31, are Riley Malek from EHS and Marina Bartels from White River. Both photos were taken on the steps in front of the White River administration building in Buckley.

White River’s rally continued in the third period when Hunter Heriot scored on a 6-yard run and Funkhouser nailed the PAT kick.

Then came some individual heroics. Enumclaw regained momentum with a pair of long scoring runs by Connor Pierce, one of 74 yards and another of 61 yards. But the tide was quickly turned by White River’s Justin Tidwell, who returned a kick nearly the length of the field for a touchdown that cut Enumclaw’s lead to 32-24.

The final score of the night was a short TD run by Enumclaw’s Sam Schuler with 1:58 remaining in the contest.