By Ryan Sparks
Grays Harbor News Services
Hoquiam at Elma
When Hoquiam travels east to take on Elma at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5, at Elma High School one thing is certain, at the end of the evening only one team will remain undefeated.
The Grizzlies and Eagles both enter the game with identical 5-0 records, and both have gotten there in their own unique way.
Elma has used a punishing ground attack led by running back Taitum Brumfield, who had another 100-plus yard rushing performance in last Thursday’s 33-15 victory over RA Long. The junior running back has 736 yards on 106 carries this season (6.9 yards per carry) and has scored 12 touchdowns to account for 44.7 percent of his team’s total points.
When the Eagles aren’t hammering opposing defenses with its persistent running game, one which averages 324 yards per game, they rely on the efficient passing game of quarterback Cody Vollan. Elma’s senior signal-caller hasn’t been asked to throw that often, but when he does, he’s been effective, completing 23-of-43 for 608 yards and eight TDs to one interception. His quarterback rating is at an impressive 128.6.
The Grizzlies also enter Friday’s 1A Evergreen league contest with an undefeated 5-0 record, but they’ve taken a different route to get there.
Hoquiam relies heavily on the arm and athletic talents of starting quarterback Payton Quintanilla, who is arguably the best throwing quarterback in the Twin Harbors.
A look at the stats show that Quintanilla is having a stellar senior season. He’s passed for 1,271 yards on 82-for-133 passing for an outstanding 62-percent completion rating. Quintanilla also takes care of the football, throwing for 13 touchdowns to three interceptions.
Quintanilla’s athleticism has also helped the Hoquiam offense to extend plays. He moves incredibly well in the pocket, slipping potential sacks that turn into long, sandlot-style passing plays downfield. If a receiver isn’t open, Quintanilla has the ability to take off and pick up first downs, as his 247 rushing yards and three touchdowns this season exhibit.
In running Hoquiam’s spread offense, Quintanilla has distributed the ball to 10 different receivers this season, mainly to Dane McMillan and Jackson Folkers, each of whom are the only Grizzlies with over 20 catches this season. Quintanilla also has quick-strike capability when he hooks up with receivers Johan Doll and Rayyon Dayton, who lead Hoquiam with four and three receiving touchdowns, respectively, on the season.
While it’s never an indicator of this year’s iteration, a look at the rivalry’s recent history shows an obvious pattern emerges: Hoquiam has been dominant.
Since 2010, Elma is 1-8 against the Grizzlies, its lone win coming in a 49-12 blowout in 2013.
With both teams yet to play perennial league power Montesano (5-0) this season, much is at stake as the winner of Friday’s game would have the inside track to face the Bulldogs for what would likely be a winner-take-all contest for the 1A Evergreen title.
Woodland at Montesano
One week after getting a big victory over Forks to open their league schedule, Montesano will host its fourth higher-division opponent in its fifth and final non-league contest of the season when they host the Woodland Beaver (2A) at 7 p.m. on Friday in Montesano.
Monte’s perfect 5-0 record could be in jeopardy as the Beavers will be looking to take out some frustration on the Bulldogs after they lost to unbeaten Hockinson, 42-27, last Friday after starting the season 4-0.
Woodland (4-1, 2-1 Greater St. Helens) is led by senior quarterback Tyler Flanagan, who is the focal point of the Beaver offense. Flanagan has passed for 764 yards and has 10 touchdowns to five interceptions in four games this season. He also lead the Beavers in rushing with 753 yards and 11 touchdowns.
But Montesano’s high-powered offense, which scored 40 points-or-more for the fourth time this season in Friday’s win, will be facing a Woodland defense that has held an opponent to under 20 points just once this season (41-8 win over RA Long on Sept. 21).
Monte was once again consistent. Running back Teegan Zillyet had another 100-plus yard rushing game, quarterback Shaydon Farmer was effective — passing for 142 yards and three touchdowns, and the dynamic Sam Winter made big plays — returning an interception 40 yards for a touchdown in the 40-0 thumping of Forks.
Montesano head coach Terry Jensen’s teams haven’t been susceptible to “trap games,” and there is no reason to think the current version of the Bulldogs would be caught looking ahead to a potential league-defining matchup against Hoquiam a week later.
Woodland should be a tough test and it’s a safe bet they have Monte’s full attention.
