Eagles flying high after picking up their first win, 43-0 over Vashon Island

SILVERDALE — The Klahowya Eagles have had a little more pep in their step lately. Picking up your first win of the season in a 43-0 blowout will certainly do that to a program.

Klahowya won its first ever football game on its home campus Friday night, after playing its home games at Silverdale Stadium — now Integrity Stadium — erasing the goose egg from the win column after dropping its first four contests of the season.

“It’s ramped up the intensity,” said junior running back Hunter Wallis, who rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns against the Pirates. “We’ve been playing harder, a little more confident.”

Friday night’s triumph was also the first for head coach Jeff Witte, who took over for Dan Ericson, who left after last year’s 7-3 playoff season for the South Kitsap job.

It’s often said that the first win is the toughest one to get, and it’s something that can weigh on a coach’s mind, but Witte wasn’t about to overlook Vashon Island even though his team’s opponent was also 0-4 entering Friday night’s game.

“It was one of those things where we knew it was going to be a tough game,” Witte said. “Yeah, they were winless too, but they have a great program there. You don’t take that situation for granted.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Wallis got his team on the board with a 30-yard touchdown run. His younger brother Logan, a freshman, also scored on a 22-yard run to give Klahowya a 14-0 lead. Nick Lewis added on with a three-yard run to put the Eagles up 21-0 at halftime.

Wallis scored his second touchdown of the game late in the third quarter, and Lewis and Logan Wallis both picked up blocked punts and returned them for touchdowns.

Finally, the clock melted to zeroes and both Witte and the Eagles could walk on the field for the handshake line together, victorious.

“It feels great,” Witte said. “The kids, just the enthusiasm and energy after the game, hopefully it will carry over to this week’s game.”

Logan Wallis finished the game with 55 yards on eight carries, two receptions for 38 yards and also had seven tackles on defense. Lewis rushed for 42 yards, completed all four of his passing attempts for 77 yards and recorded eight tackles. Hunter Wallis led Klahowya with ten tackles and Jacob Manavie added nine and also had one reception for 18 yards.

Klahowya heads out for a road trip to University Place this week to take on an undefeated Charles Wright Academy, which sits atop the Nisqually League.

“We could shock the world if we come together like we did last week,” Witte said.

Klahowya 43, Vashon Island 0

VI 0 0 0 0 — 0

KL 0 21 14 8 — 43

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

No scoring.

Second Quarter

Klahowya — Hunter Wallis 30 run (Divano kick)

Klahowya — Logan Wallis 22 run (Divano kick)

Klahowya — Nick Lewis 3 run (Divano kick)

Third Quarter