POULSBO — North Kitsap was looking for redemption and Bremerton was just looking for a win.
One week after losing to Gig Harbor 21-14, the Vikings’ (2-2 overall, 1-1 Bridge Division) offense was back in form last Friday night, easily downing the Knights (0-4, 0-2) 49-0.
North Kitsap coach Jerry Parrish said the win was not only a good way to rebound from the loss to Gig Harbor, but gave his young players valuable experience as well.
“I really felt that our younger kids did pretty well tonight,” Parrish said. “Our kids really worked hard this week.”
The win gives the team momentum going into this Friday night’s contest against South Kitsap, he said.
“We came out with no injuries and a lot of kids got to play, so it was a pretty good win for us,” Parrish said.
After holding the Knights to three and out on the game’s opening drive, the Vikings scored two plays later on a 13-yard touchdown run by Travis Tobin to make the score, 7-0.
On their next possession, the Vikings again executed a two-play scoring drive capped off by a 41-yard touchdown run by Jeff Camus, putting them ahead 14-0 with 6:36 in the first quarter.
Disaster struck the Knights on their next drive as North Kitsap’s Tobin picked up a fumbled exchange in the backfield and ran 24 yards for a score, 21-0.
However, the Knights appeared to rebound as punter Moises Lovinaria scrambled to pick up Bremerton’s first first down of the game, converting on fourth-and-one from the 36-yard line.
On the next play, Lovinaria was intercepted by Jordan Henry, who returned the ball to the Knights’ 45.
On the ensuing play, NK’s Andy Sturza scampered 45 yards, upping the Vikings’ lead to 35-0 with 1:28 remaining in the first quarter.
The Knights defense then stiffened and stopped the Vikings on two fourth down plays inside their own 25 before allowing a 9-yard touchdown run by Levi Pixton with less than a minute left in the first half to make the score 42-0.
Vikings quarterback Jared Prince threw his only touchdown pass of the game on the opening drive of the second half to Camus, putting the Vikings ahead by 49-0.
The rest of the game saw both teams battle for field position, including a strong goal-line stand by the Knights’ defense, which stonewalled the Vikings on four plays inside their own 10-yard line.
“Our guys didn’t give up and they’re still working really hard,” said Bremerton head coach Mike McKnight. “It’s been a tough season, but our young guys are still learning.”
The Knights travel to Port Angeles (0-3, 0-2) on Friday, while the Vikings take on rivals South Kitsap (1-3, 1-1) in Port Orchard. Both games start at 7 p.m.
