The No. 8-ranked Enumclaw High boys water polo team ran into some big dogs, No. 4 Bellevue Saturday, and No. 5 Curtis Thursday.

In its 16-10 loss to Bellevue, Garrett Hall started EHS on the right foot, scoring in the opening 26 seconds. The Wolverines charged back, scoring four in the opening quarter. Enumclaw added three quick goals in the first three minutes of the second quarter, two by Hall and one by Bennon VanHoof, but Bellevue added four of their own in the next three minutes and three in the last minute of the half to take a 12-5 advantage at halftime.

The teams played close in the third period – Bellevue scored four, Enumclaw added three – and the Hornets outscored the visitors 2-0 in the final quarter.

Hall scored five goals in the loss; VanHoof four, and Travis Culp scored one.

Thursday, defending state champion Curtis beat the Hornets 19-5.

A swarming Viking defense kept the Hornets scoreless for the first quarter. VanHoof got EHS on the board midway through the second period then he, Hall and Mason Culp scored during the third quarter. Hall added one more for the Hornets in the final quarter.

The Hornets squeaked out a 7-6 win over No. 10 Auburn Mountainview Oct. 12 that earned them a berth at November’s state tournament.

The teams were scoreless for the first four minutes of the game and then deadlocked at one until Travis Culp scored two goals in the second period and Zach Petersen and Hall added one each to give Enumclaw a 5-2 edge at halftime. The Lions rallied in the second half to close the gap and held the Hornets scoreless in the final seven minutes, but EHS’s defense was able to preserve the win.

Scoring for Enumclaw were Hall with three goals; Travis Culp, two; and Zach and Thomas Petersen with one goal apiece.

EHS hosts No. 6 Auburn Thursday, in a game that could determine the league champion. The Hornets also host Puyallup Saturday.