Tumwater and Mark Morris traded blows early in Longview on Friday night, but the Thunderbirds pulled away to win 55-14 and remain unbeaten.
The T-Birds scored 41 points in the first half before adding 14 in the third, and they finished the day with 389 yards of total offense.
Tyler Briscoe ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries, while Jacob Ridel added 55 yards on just four attempts.
Grady Wall tallied 66 total yards on four touches (three rushes and one reception), and Cameron Briscoe added 55 yards and a rushing touchdown on two carries.
Gavin Kaikkonen logged 31 rushing yards on three carries, and Logan Budd ran for 24 yards and scored a touchdown of his own.
Jake Reid went 4 for 5 through the air for 68 yards and touchdown, which went to Gabe Millard, who finished with two catches and 21 receiving yards.
Tumwater coach William Garrow was “pleased” with the way the offense executed, even without starting fullback Jayden Hinchcliffe, who missed the game with a “non-serious” leg injury
“We had multiple explosive plays and quick scoring drives, and it felt like the run game was clicking,” Garrow said.
Defensively, Grady Wall and Ethan Bello both had two interceptions, including a 93-yard pick-six for Bello.
“That's always a huge bonus in these types of games when teams want to throw the ball up and take shots,” Garrow said. “Both Ethan Bello & Grady Wall made terrific plays, and both benefited from the pressure the front seven placed on their offense.”
Landon Anchors finished with 10 tackles, including four for loss, and Grady Wall finished with six tackles, two of them being TFLs.
“Defensively, the kids were very physical tonight and played well against an explosive pass scheme that took what seemed like dozens of deep ball shots,” Garrow said.
Garrow did note that the T-Birds struggled with penalties again early, having six separate 15-yard penalties in the first half that extended Mark Morris drives.
“I need to do a better job coaching our kids to clean those up so we can get off the field in those spots,” Garrow said. “If we can eliminate a few of those, we'll be in good shape.”
Tumwater (5-0) will look to remain undefeated next Friday, Oct. 9, when it hosts Ridgefield.
