Cougs roll back the Tides

TACOMA — If the Central Kitsap football squad still had doubters, they’re starting to get quieter.

Central Kitsap upended Gig Harbor 24-14 on Friday at Mount Tahoma to secure the No. 3 seed into this weekend’s state preliminary round, the team’s first postseason appearance since 1997.

But even more important, it gave CK a play-in home game. CK will take on Puyallup at Silverdale Stadium at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The Cougars used a strong ground game to run all over the Tides, known for their large, strong defensive line.

Howard McDonald continued to run strong, picking up 203 yards on 33 carries in the crossover game, while H’Arion Gaulden added 131 yards on 11 carries, scoring once on a 58-yard, fourth-quarter scamper.

In the first quarter, CK struck first when quarterback Jason Simonis crossed the goal line from a yard out. Chet Thompson tied things up with a 4-yard scoring run in the second quarter for GH.

CK came out of the half eager to break the tie, as Simonis hooked up with Christian Wesley for a 6-yard touchdown pass. That ended the third quarter 14-7.

Gaulden began the fourth-quarter scoring with his big run, putting CK up 21-7.

But Gig Harbor fought back, turning defense into offense when Ryan Snider ran a fumble 44 yards back to make it 21-14.

That set up an important possession for CK.

With 2 minutes, 18 seconds remaining in the game, CK drove down field to set up the most important field goal attempt Jeff Eagleson has tried. From 37-yards out, Eagleson hit the kick to lock up the win.

Klahowya

The Eagles ran into 2B powerhouse Adna, the No. 1-ranked team at the classification Friday, falling 48-3 in the non-league road game. Stats were not reported.

Klahowya will do battle with Fife, who the Eagles played a year ago in the state prelim round, Friday at 7 p.m. on the road.

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