Cougs run past NK, Gig Harbor handles Oly

The 2001 Central Kitsap football team will forever be haunted by two onside kicks that opponents recovered and turned into game-winning touchdowns.

Those plays cost the Cougars a postseason berth.

Central’s made sure the last two weeks that their games wouldn’t come down to such a play. After steamrolling Olympic, 65-14, last week, the Cougars unleashed their powerful ground attack on North Kitsap, burying the Vikings, 34-20, in Poulsbo on Thursday night.

The news remained gloomy for their district rivals as Olympic High was pounded by Gig Harbor, 41-6, in the Trojans’ homecoming game at Silverdale Stadium.

The Cougars (3-4 Narrows League Bridge Division, 4-4 overall) and Trojans (1-5, 2-6) conclude their seasons on the road with Narrows League Crossover games. Central will face Foss on Friday at 5 p.m. at Lincoln Bowl. Olympic plays its season-ending game on Thursday against Stadium at Stadium Bowl at 7 p.m.

Central Kitsap 34, North Kitsap 20 — Blake Berryman rushed for 202 yards on 23 carries for the Cougars, who jumped to a 17-0 lead before surrendering two touchdowns late in the first half, one on a 64-yard pass and another on a 90-yard interception, both by North’s Reuben Scuffy.

Dustin Wilson’s 64-yard touchdown run in the middle of the third quarter regained the momentum for the Cougs. He reversed his field on the play, picking up a block from quarterback Jake Higgs along the way.

Central piled up 442 rushing yards. Berryman scored on a 17-yard run, T.J. Driver piled in from 24 yards out and Jake Higgs dove in from a yard out. Eric Forbes added field goals from 22 and 35 yards out.

Gig Harbor 41, Olympic 6 — This one got out of hand in the second quarter when the Tides scored on four straight possessions to open a 34-0 lead at halftime.

Jeff Bernhardt returned a fumble 79 yards for Oly’s touchdown with 2:47 left.

Olympic had a tough time establishing any thing offensively against the Tides. Quarterback Will Gratz completed 5 of 16 passes for 47 yards. Luke Switzer led Olympic rushers with 23 yards on eight carries.

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