If nothing else, Montesano’s defense was in midseason form for its football jamboree. Its offense wasn’t bad, either.
The host Bulldogs won both mini-games in the 10th annual Montesano Jamboree Friday, Aug. 26, at broiling Rottle Field. They downed Hoquiam, 7-0, and Elma, 28-0.
Hoquiam scored on its final play to edge Aberdeen, 6-0, while the Bobcats topped Elma, 14-0, in the other 20-play varsity mini-games.
Varsity and JV contests were staged concurrently on opposite sides of midfield.
Although such statistics are assuredly not available (even the scores are unofficial), Monte’s four takeaways in the two contests may well be a jamboree record. The Bulldogs’ 35 points in 20 plays might have at least matched the scoring mark for such events.
Hayden Klinger and Trevor Ridgway intercepted passes against Hoquiam. They also had an interception and fumble recovery against Elma.
Nathan Olson scored the lone Monte touchdown against Hoquiam, taking Ridgway’s swing pass for an 19-yard scoring play. Larry Dwyer tacked on the conversion.
Artimus Johnson ran 17 yards to the Bulldog 23-yard line for Hoquiam’s chief threat in that contest. Ridgway picked off Gregory Dick’s pass on the next play.
Ridgway completed all four of his passes for 109 yards and three touchdowns against Elma. He hit Dakoyta Reninger on a 37-yard scoring strike, Nick Chapman on a 11-yard TD pass and Tyler Reninger on a 40-yard scoring connection.
The Bulldogs added a fourth touchdown when Dwyer (also 4-of-4 on conversions) swept the right side for nine yards on the final play.
Montesano’s defense held Elma without a first down.
Hoquiam saved its best for last against Aberdeen.
Ryan Espedal made a leaping grab of Dick’s 24-yard sideline pass in the end zone on the last play of the jamboree. The conversion attempt failed.
Aberdeen senior linebacker Benton Butcher’s interception halted a Grizzly drive earlier in the series.
Espedal also contributed an interception against the Bobcats.
Aberdeen’s Kylan Touch, impressive on both sides of the ball, scored both touchdowns against Elma.
The quick junior back scored on a 6-yard run, set up by quarterback Ben Dublanko’s 14-yard keeper. Touch also tallied on an 11-yard sweep on the final play. David Housden kicked both conversions.
Avery Brown’s 20-yard pass to tight end Liam Baxter was Elma’s longest gain against Aberdeen.
Happily for all concerned, the contests were completed without apparent major injuries.
All four teams will remain in Grays Harbor County for regular-season openers Friday — Montesano will host Aberdeen, Hoquiam is home against Chehalis and Elma entertains Eatonville.
