Road-weary Hornets Fall at Decatur 36-7

The Enumclaw (1-4,0-1 SPSL 3A) Hornets battled tough early but turnovers and timely passing from Decatur (3-2 1-0 SPSL 3A) propelled the Gators to a 36-7 victory on Friday night at Federal Way Memorial Stadium.

Playing three staight games on the road in any sport is an uphill battle but when you factor in a homecoming game for the third one along with a much improved Decatur team, then the challenge becomes very daunting.

"I feel bad for our kids," Enumclaw coach Don Bartel said. "They stayed positive with each other until the end."

Decatur took the lead first as quarterback Abraham Ferrell-Logan hit Michael Klavuhn for a 13-yard touchdown pass with 5:45 left in the first quarter.

The Hornet defense caused a couple of turnovers early to keep the team in the contest. Tyler Osborn intercepted a Ferrell-Logan pass right after Enumclaw threw an interception, and then Ryan Chynoweth recovered after a Hornet offensive ended on downs to set the offense back up with a chance to tie the contest.

One play later, Enumclaw quarterback Tyler Carlson scampered in on a quarterback keeper from four yards out to even things at 7-7 with 10:35 left in the second quarter.

Carlson was 9 of 21 passing for 104 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions on the evening.

Trailing 14-7, the Hornets put together a strong 12-play drive thanks to timely passing and the run game of Cameron Strecker and Vladimir Meijia. The drive would be thwarted by a Gator interception by Kevin Young and the momentum stayed on Decatur's side the rest of the way.

After a short drive by Decatur capped off by Curtis Havili's two yard touchdown run, Enumclaw trailed 22-7 going into halftime.

In the second half, the Hornets came out and battled forcing a three and out on the first Gator drive. But afterwards on the second Decatur possession, the key play of the half was 4th and 8 pass completion down the left hand sideline from Ferrell-Logan to Klavuhn for 28 yards to the Enumclaw 15 yard line. They would cash in a touchdown two plays later as Ferrell-Logan hit Klavuhn on a fade route into the corner of the end zone to make it 29-7.

Ferrell-Logan was 8 of 15 passing for 199 yards and threw for two touchdowns and one interception.

With this long three game road trip behind them, Bartel is eager to get his players back on their home field for the annual homecoming game at Enumclaw.

"If there is a prescription for what this team needs right now, it's get back home at (Pete's Pool)," Bartel said. "There is nothing like a homecoming game at Enumclaw, playing in front of people that love to see them play."

Enumclaw hosts Auburn Mountainview next Friday, October 7. Kickoff time is 7 p.m.