The Auburn Trojans will look to run their record to 2-0 against the Kentwood Conquerors (1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at French Field in Kent.
The Trojans swing into the second week South Puget Sound League 4A North football riding the success of their 42-7 blowout win over Federal Way last week.
As a team, the Trojans ran all over the Eagles, with University of Washington-bound senior fullback Chris Young running for 110 yards and three touchdowns, junior Alphonse Wade rushing for 118 yards and two touchdowns and senior Austin Embody adding 85 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Defensively, the Trojans held the Eagles to minus rushing yards in the first half of play.
The win did not surprise Young.
“I kind of expected this whole game to be a blowout, actually,” the Young said. “Like I’ve been telling all the other interviewers, just the fact that we have all that experience on the line – that makes us a deadly force.”
“It was really a team effort,” Wade said after the game. “There was good blocking. I think we’re going to be pretty good. I was really excited tonight (last Thursday).”
Now the team prepares for the Conks, who scraped by Central Kitsap 39-27 in nonleague play last Thursday.
“We’re going to prepare for every game like it’s our last game, come out with intensity and blow them out, too,” Young said.
“Kentwood is a big game,” senior quarterback Marshall Klontz said. “I think this gives us momentum, but I just hope it doesn’t give us too big of a head. But it definitely gives us a bunch of momentum.”
“First game of the year you’re not sure where you are, so you have to go out and play it to find out where you are,” Auburn coach Gordon Elliott said. “And I thought it was kind of a typical first game of the year. We had some good things happen and bogged down sometimes. You never want to play your best game of the year the first game of the year, but I thought it went well and hopefully our young men take that to heart. We have a pretty big game (this) week, and hopefully our men will get better for (this) week.”
Elsewhere
• At Auburn Riverside 30, Kent-Meridian 29 (OT):
Junior quarterback John Hakala threw for 197 yards on 13-of-30 passing. He also threw two touchdowns and had one interception. Connor Bjornstad ran the ball 14 times for 73 yards and two touchdowns and Cameron Grad and Ryan Adams each had a TD reception. Grad also led the team with 106 all-purpose yards, seven on the ground and 99 receiving.
Defensively, Mitch Youngs led the Ravens with 10 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. Tyler Standish had 7 1/2 tackles and Kell Garrison chipped in with six tackles and two forced fumbles.
The Royals scorched the Ravens for 487 yards of total offense, including 405 on the ground.
The Ravens will host Tahoma (1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at Auburn Memorial Stadium.
• Auburn Mountainview 23, at Clover Park 0: The Lions opened SPSL 3A play with a shutout of the Warriors at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood last Friday.
The Lions were led by senior running back Vince Wagner who notched 133 yards on the ground on 27 attempts. Wagner also added a 20-yard touchdown run. Senior quarterback Cody McNeil was 8 of 17 for 86 yards and two touchdowns. McNeil added 80 yards rushing on nine attempts. Senior Tate Newell had five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown and junior Darrell Robinson had one receiving touchdown.
Defensively, Newell and Robinson recorded interceptions and McNeil led the team with six tackles. Sophomore E.J. Barrasco and junior Jeremy Perkovich each added sacks for the Lions.
Auburn Mountainview held the Warriors to just 118 yards of total offense and seven first downs.
The Lions hosted Bonney Lake (0-1) at 7 p.m. today at Auburn Memorial Stadium.
Elsewhere in the SPSL
The Kentwood Conquerors mounted a last-minute comeback to beat Central Kitsap 39-27 in non-league play last Thursday. Senior linebacker Zach Corpuz scooped up a Central Kitsap fumble and ran it in from 26 yards out for a touchdown to put away the Cougars. Senior quarterback Tristen Askew had two rushing touchdowns and threw for another. … The Kentridge Chargers put a 34-7 beating on Kentlake last Friday at French Field. The Chargers scored 21 points in the first quarter and cruised to the SPSL 4A North win over their district rival. Alex Tyson had two rushing touchdowns for the Chargers. Kentridge will travel to Federal Way Memorial Stadium to take on Jefferson (0-1) at 7 p.m. today. Kentlake played Kent-Meridian (0-1) at 7 p.m. Thursday at French Field… Niko Madison led Tahoma with two rushing touchdowns in the Bears’ 26-6 win over Jefferson last Friday at Tahoma Stadium. The Bears will travel to Auburn Memorial Stadium to take on Auburn Riverside (1-0) at 7 p.m. today.
