The Tumwater football team earned an emotional victory over Black Hills on Monday night, topping the Wolves 67-6 in the rescheduled Pioneer Bowl.
The Thunderbirds played with heavy hearts, as just ten days prior, on Oct. 17, Tumwater assistant coach Paul Snow passed away just one day after Tumwater’s Week 7 win over Aberdeen.
“It has been a very difficult ten days for our kids and our football program,” Tumwater coach William Garrow said. “Coach Snow was loved by our players and staff, and his passing was extremely hard for us all. Our kids and coaches have been processing the emotions of the previous week, and I’m really grateful that we were able to play this game tonight.”
On the field, Tumwater dominated, scoring 61 points in the first three quarters to build a massive lead.
Tyler Briscoe ran for 88 yards and a touchdown on just five carries, Jayden Hinchcliffe tallied 55 yards and scored on both of his carries, and Grady Wall ran for 77 yards and a score on his two attempts.
Nick LaPraim, Jacob Riedl, and Cam Briscoe also each had a rushing touchdown, and Cam Briscoe also returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown.
Jake Reid threw for 148 yards on just four completions, and he threw two long touchdown passes to Ethan Bello, who finished with 116 receiving yards and the two TDs on just two catches.
Defensively, Gavin Kaikkonen tallied 13 tackles, including four for loss, and Hans Bergford added eight tackles, including two for loss, and a sack.
Finn Bracy also got a sack to go along with his eight tackles, including three for loss, and Hinchcliffe tallied seven tackles.
“We are grateful that we had the opportunity to honor our seniors tonight and play this game in front of the community,” Garrow said.
The Wolves (4-4, 0-2 2A EvCo) and the Thunderbirds (8-0, 2-0 2A EvCo) won’t have long to regroup before their next game, as Week 9’s games remain on as scheduled for Friday despite the postponement of the Pioneer Bowl to Monday.
Black Hills will face Aberdeen for a chance to play for a postseason spot, while Tumwater will head to W.F. West for a bout that will decide the EvCo champion.
“We won't have much time to enjoy the victory,” Garrow said. “We’ll be back in the weight room in the morning, then practice and film in the afternoon because we know how big of a challenge it will be against the Bearcats on Friday.”
Garrow added that before Tumwater’s next home game, either Nov. 5 or 6 in the Round of 32, there will be a pregame ceremony honoring Snow.
