Community Sports

Gig Harbor’s season ends when Kelso rallies

The Gig Harbor football team lost a large lead and a road playoff game against the Kelso Hilanders, 45-34, on Saturday, Nov. 5. The Tides ended their season at 6-4.

Football is a game of momentum, Gig Harbor had it early. The Tides jumped out to a 27-3 lead in the first half. But three interceptions and a fumble kept the defense on the field too long and the Hilanders took advantage of it, outscoring the Tides 28-0 in the second half to advance to state.

First half dominance

Gig Harbor jumped out to a 7-0 lead when quarterback Will Landram found an open Gavin Nash, who ran for an 81-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Then Tide linebacker Benji Park returned an interception 65 yards for a quick 14-0 lead.

Kelso answered with a 24-yard field goal, but Gig Harbor extended its lead to 27-3 on a pair of Blaze Herbert touchdown runs.

Gig Harbor receiver Gavin Nash runs for a score earlier this season. Bryce Carithers

It was 34-17 at halftime, with a pair of Kelso touchdowns sandwiched around a 40-yard score from Landram to Ben Stevens.

It looked like the Tides were going to advance to state easily.

The Gig Harbor defense was playing inspired football. Defensive tackle Nic Fortney dominated the 10th-ranked Hilanders’ line, and the Tides secondary hadn’t allowed a single completion up until that point.

Meanwhile, the Gig Harbor offense scored so often in the first half, one wondered if the Tides would hang 50 points on the Hilanders. Yet the Tides wouldn’t score again.

Kelso comeback

Turnovers and penalties took their toll in the second half. The Kelso defense capitalized on two Tide interceptions and the momentum clearly shifted.

The Hilanders had reeled off 14 straight points and were looking to take the lead. They got it when quarterback Tucker Amrine threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to make the score 38-34 with 7:11 to go in the game.

Gig Harbor’s attempt at a rally stalled when receiver Gavin Nash — who was having a terrific game — was stripped of the ball at midfield after a catch and run.

The Hilanders capitalized on the short field with a 48-yard TD run to complete the scoring at 45-34.

Kelso ran for 329 yards and three touchdowns. Conner Noah did most of the damage with 203 yards and two touchdowns.

Kelso’s sophomore quarterback Amrine completed only 4 passes for 126 yards, but three of the four completions were touchdowns.

Gig Harbor center Trevor Dixon prepares to snap the ball in a game earlier this season. Bryce Carithers

The numbers

Gig Harbor senior quarterback Landram finished 20-28 for 331 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Nash led the Tides with 5 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. Ben Stevens had 5 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown and senior Carson Griffin had 5 catches for 52 yards.

Defensively, senior lineman Fortney had eight tackles. Senior cornerback Christian Parrish had 4 tackles, two assists and a two pass break-ups.

Outside of a lopsided loss to top-ranked Yelm, the Tides were competitive in every game they played. Their other three losses all were narrow defeats to playoff teams. They held a lead in each of those three contests.

Coach Reeves on seniors and the future

First-year coach Darrin Reeves paid tribute to the graduating seniors.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better group of seniors. What they did for this program this year will have a lasting impact for years to come,” Reeves said. “Getting a new coaching staff as a senior is never easy, and this group will always have a special place in our program and in my heart for what they poured in this year. Once a Tide, always a Tide. I can’t wait to see them become great leaders in the future and follow their successes in whatever adventures they choose.”

Gig Harbor has plenty of talented underclassmen in the program and should be very competitive next year.

“I am excited about where our program is heading,” Reeves said. “We have to continue to push our players to do their best in the classroom first, and secondly to continue working on getting bigger, stronger, and faster.”

Christian Parrish (3) leads the Tides onto the field during a game earlier this season. Bryce Carithers