Community Sports
Gig Harbor rallies past Peninsula in Fish Bowl
Just like last year, Gig Harbor rallied in the second half behind a backup quarterback to secure a Fish Bowl win.
Unlike last year, the 2024 Fish Bowl game featured no near-fights, gruesome injuries or obvious controversies between the two rival schools.
Gig Harbor scored twice in a minute-long span of the fourth quarter to secure the 14-10 win over Peninsula on Saturday. The game, played at Mount Tahoma Stadium in Tacoma for the first time, was the season-opener for both the Tides and the Seahawks.
Freshman quarterback Sawyer Hayes sparked both of Gig Harbor’s scoring drive. Hayes threw a 22-yard scoring strike to Liam Green for Gig Harbor’s first touchdown and had runs of 19 and 36 yards in the fourth quarter.
Ryland Geldermann provided the game-winner on a 48-yard scamper with 7:09 left in the game. Geldermann, unofficially, gained 136 yards on 11 carries.
The Gig Harbor Tides celebrate their 2024 Fish Bowl win on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Mount Tahoma Stadium. Photo by Vince Dice
Peninsula up in first half
Peninsula opened the scoring with a 9-yard touchdown run by Wyatt Abrigo with 1:01 left in the first half. The Seahawks extended their lead on a 28-yard field goal by Talen McDonnell with 3:13 to go in the third quarter.
The game looked very much like the season opener that it was, with penalty flags flying and the ball often hitting the turf.
Injuries forced out several key players on both sides. Gig Harbor star receiver D.J. Darling didn’t play after the first quarter, while Seahawks starting running back Abrigo scarcely played in the second half. Another key Seahawk, two-way lineman Royal Charles, was forced from the game in the fourth quarter.
Gig Harbor moved the ball effectively in the first half, but saw drives stalled by turnovers and penalties.
Coaches, team captains, athletic directors and other admnistrators meet with game officials during a stop in play. Photo by Vince Dice
Two of the Tides’ second-quarter drives ended with fumbles after completions by starting quarterback Koi Calhoun. A third ended in an interception with 2:29 left in the half, setting up Abrigo’s score. Another promising second-quarter drive stalled when the Tides committed delay of game and false start infractions.
Peninsula’s field goal came after a long drive that began when Gig Harbor downed a punt at the Seahawks’ 2-yard line. Peninsula quarterback Mana Smythe got his team in business with an 80-yard completion to Lucas Wiseman, which set the Seahawks up with a first-and-goal.
But the officials flagged Peninsula for a penalty and Smythe took a sack, leading to McDonnell’s successful field goal. The Seahawks offense barely touched the ball after that.
Gig Harbor and Peninsula line up for a play in the first quarter. Photo by Vince Dice
Gig Harbor rally
Hayes’ scoring strike to Green came at the 8:09 mark of the fourth quarter. The Tides forced a quick three-and-out by Peninsula and got the ball back with 7:14 remaining.
Geldermann took care of the rest, bowling over would-be tacklers on his way to the decisive 48-yard score.
Peninsula’s ensuing drive made it as far as the Gig Harbor 45-yard-line, aided by a fourth-down penalty on Gig Harbor that allowed the Seahawks to convert a first. But Smythe’s last-gasp pass with 1:24 remaining was a couple millimeters out of his receiver’s reach. Gig Harbor took over and ran out the clock.
Gig Harbor players celebrate with the Fish Bowl trophy after their 14-10 win over Peninsula on Saturday, Sept. 7. Photo by Vince Dice
Gig Harbor 14, Peninsula 10
Pen — 0-7-3-0 — 10
GH — 0-0-0-14 — 14
Second quarter
PEN: Wyatt Abrigo 9 run (conversion successful)
Third quarter
PEN: Talen McDonnell 28 field goal
Fourth Quarter
GH: Liam Green 22 pass from Sawyer Hayes
GH: Ryland Geldermann 48 run
Gig Harbor running back Ryland Geldermann approaches the goalline during his game-winning touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Photo by Bryce Carithers