Speedy, explosive Almira/Coulee-Hartline completes perfect season with 1B state championship win over Quilcene: 3 observations
Grady Murray scored three first-half touchdowns, and Almira-Coulee-Hartline scored on five of its six possessions over the first 24 minutes to ultimately rout Quilcene, 50-20, in the Class 1B state championship game at Mount Tahoma High on Saturday.
It is the Warriors third championship in the past six played since 2015. There was no 2020 game, since the playoffs were erased due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It never gets old,” ACH coach Brandon Walsh said. “Really, the reason why, is its always a different group of kids and it’s special.”
Murray caught two touchdown passes, netting 108 yards on his only two receptions of the half, and returned a late-half punt 69 yards for a third score as the Warriors (12-0) built a 36-0 lead going into the locker room.
The mercy of a running clock hastened the second half when ACH took the opening drive of the third quarter 61 yards in six plays to extend the margin beyond 40 points.
EXPLOSIVENESS OFF-SETS POSSESSION TIME
When it counted, and by that we’re talking about the first two quarters, Quilcene actually controlled the clock by almost a 3-to-1 margin. The Rangers held the ball for 17:36 to ACH’s 6:24.
Yet the Warriors outgained Quilcene, 291-104 in total offense. Of the five scoring plays, only one was shorter than 62 yards – Murray’s first receiving touchdown covered 27 yards on a third-and-13 with 4:50 to go in the first half.
“It’s the championship. You never expect it to be like that,” Walsh said. “That said, this is such a great group of kids and we have so many weapons. We knew if we played hard and executed well, there was a chance we could run away from them a little bit.”
The game was still close at that point, with the TD extending the ACH lead to 14-0. Parker Roberts added runs of 62 and 67 yards, while Murray also caught an 81-yard pass to go up 30-0.
MAYBE A FINISHING SCHOOL?
The Rangers moved the ball, especially early. On each of its first two possessions, Quilcene advanced to the ACH 21- and 18- yard lines.
The first drive ended when Dominic Smith couldn’t find Kevin Alejo over the middle on a fourth-and-four, and was sacked. Smith and running back Bishop Budnek had trouble with a first-down handoff on the second, the ball hit the turf and the Warriors recovered.
Late in the first half, Quilcene again penetrated as far as the 18, only to be shoved back later in the drive, turning the ball over on downs again.
SPEED KILLS
The Warriors know they aren’t the biggest team out there.
“Our fourth fastest guy plays on the offensive line,” Murray said.
That speed was a determining factor against Quilcene. Once runners broke through the first level, the Rangers had trouble catching up evidenced by the touchdown plays of 81, 69, 68 and 62 yards.
“That’s the thing about this team,” Walsh said. “They are so fast. Dane Isaak and Grady Murray and Parker Roberts – we just have so many weapons. And it’s been that way all year. Big play after big play.”
The speed carried ACH to 429 yards of total offense. Roberts ran for 157 yards on just five carries, with two TDS. He added a third score on a late 25-yard pass from Isaak.
Isaak had 92 yards and a touchdown rushing to go with his 162 yards and three passing TDs, completing four of seven attempts.
“We saw it in the film,” Quilcene running back Bishop Budnek said. “They were pretty fast, but they were a little shifty, too. You ride like lightning you’re going to crash like thunder. And it just hurts so much more to be the No. 2.”
Budnek, who’s battled turf toe for the last few weeks and said he tweaked his right knee on Saturday, as well, still came back to ruh for 139 yards and two late scores on 19 carries.
“At the end of the day, I didn’t know if we were going to win or lose,” Budnek said. “I just wanted to walk off this field having played 100 percent, giving all effort that I had. I accomplished that today.”
