The last time White River defeated rival Enumclaw High in the annual Battle of the Bridge, the majority of this year’s players were still in diapers – if they were born at all.
The Buckley swarm of Hornets snapped an 17-year losing skid on Halloween night, defeating the EHS bunch 21-14 in an epic showdown of undefeated teams in search of a North Puget Sound League 3A championship.
The contest, staged at the Enumclaw Expo Center, had it all: a full-throated student body on both sides of the field, fans filling the grandstands and lining fences, a steady rain that fluctuated between a drizzle and a downpour, and a Seattle television crew on hand for what they billed as the region’s “Game of the Week.”
White River jumped on top early, posting a first-quarter touchdown on a 6-yard run by Ray Palmer. The score ballooned to 14-0 after perhaps the most exciting play of the night: with Enumclaw knocking on the door a fumble was scooped up by White River’s Bradley Burbank who raced 99 yards for White River’s second score of the night.
Enumclaw bounced back with a touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half and added a second TD early in the third quarter, putting 14 points on the board in fewer than two minutes of game time. The touchdowns came on a run by Paxton Patterson and a TD toss from Gavin Trachte to Kage Kuro.
White River finally locked up its long-awaited victory in the fourth period, courtesy of a 9-yard run by Palmer and the second point-after kick by Palmer Beus.
The outcome left White River with a perfect 8-0 record in NPSL 3A play and a 9-0 overall mark. Enumclaw ended its regular season 7-1 in league play and 8-1 overall.
NOW, POSTSEASON AWAITS
In Washington’s Class 3A ranks, postseason play begins this weekend with 32 teams battling for one of 16 berths into the state tournament.
White River opens with a home game at 7 p.m. Friday, paired against Peninsula High. The Seahawks enter the game after posting a 5-1 record in Puget Sound League-Nisqually play and going 6-3 overall. White River sits at No. 5 in the state’s RPI rankings while Peninsula comes in at No. 26 among the state’s 72 teams in the 3A ranks.
Enumclaw High takes on Shorewood High in the round of 32, hosting the Stormrays at 7 p.m. Friday on the Expo Center turf. Shorewood finished 4-2 in the Wesco South standings and 7-2 overall. The Stormrays call the community of Shoreline home. In the RPI rankings, Enumclaw currently is No. 12 and Shorewood is No. 21.
Photos by Vic Wright White River’s Kovi Poulin does his best to navigate Enumclaw’s defense.
WRHS’ Chaz Strickland (No. 7) attempts to pass to Blake Bargelt (4). Photo by Vic Wright
WRHS’ Chaz Strickland (No. 7) attempts to pass to Blake Bargelt (4). Photo by Vic Wright
WRHS’ Chaz Strickland (No. 7) attempts to pass to Blake Bargelt (4). Photo by Vic Wright
Nothing could dampen White River’s spirits after the Hornets took home last Friday the Battle of the Bridge trophy for the first time in 17 years. Photo by Vic Wright Nothing could dampen White River’s spirits after the Hornets took home last Friday the Battle of the Bridge trophy for the first time in 17 years. Photo by Vic Wright
Enumclaw senior Cole Chiechi gaining some yardage before being taken down by White River. Photo by Vic Wright
