Football: Enumclaw and White River dominate

Enumclaw routs Kentlake while White River whips Auburn Mountainview.

By Kevin Hanson • September 23, 2024 2:43 pm
White River’s football team prepares for their recent game against Auburn Mountainview in this screenshot of a video posted by the White River Football Booster Club. Courtesy image
White River’s football team prepares for their recent game against Auburn Mountainview in this screenshot of a video posted by the White River Football Booster Club. Courtesy image

Enumclaw and White River high schools each posted dominating victories Friday night, pushing their overall records to 2-1 during these early weeks of the 2024 football season.

Here’s a quick look at how the games of Sept. 20 played out for the Hornets from each side of the county line, along with a look at this week’s opponents.

ENUMCLAW

Friday’s contest against the downtrodden Kentlake Falcons was about as lopsided as a Hornet fan could have imagined. Enumclaw scored constantly in the road blowout, eventually rolling to a 68-0 rout at French Field.

The win pushed EHS to 2-1 on the season, with all contests coming in 3A North Puget Sound League play. On the flip side, Kentlake was not anticipated to present much of a challenge; the Falcons now sit at 0-3 in league play and have been outscored 152-7.

Next up for Enumclaw: The Hornets return home this week, hosting Federal Way High under the Friday night lights. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Enumclaw Expo Center.

Federal Way will come to town with a 1-1 mark in NPSL play, 2-1 overall. The Eagles look to present the Hornets with their toughest test since a Week 1 loss to Decatur High.

Federal Way opened the season with 48-18 romp over Auburn Mountainview before suffering a one-point loss (35-34) to the league-leading Decatur crew. Last week’s action saw the Eagles roll to an easy 53-10, nonleague victory over Spanaway Lake.

WHITE RIVER

At this point in the season, White River is one of only two undefeated teams in the 3A North Puget Sound League. The Hornets improved to 2-0 (2-1 overall) with an easy 37-6 victory over Auburn Mountainview last week and now sit just a slight step behind the 3-0 Decatur Gators.

Last week’s victory was a nice bounce-back outing for the Hornets, who had been soundly defeated the previous week by a quality Fife club.

White River averaged a healthy 6.5 yards per offensive play, finishing with 204 yards through the air and another 106 on the ground. Quarterback Tristan Waterman completed 13 of his 19 passing attempts and Trevor King led the rushing attack with 87 yards on 22 carries. Tate Bowen topped the receiving corps, hauling in five passes while averaging 19.4 yards per catch.

Grabbing touchdown passes were Bowen, King and Kovi Poulin. Adding rushing TDs were King and Luke Lisherness.

Next up for White River: This week’s opponent, Todd Beamer High, is 2-1 with all games against league foes. The Titans have posted victories over lowly Kentlake and middle-of-the-pack Kent-Meridian, while losing to formidable Enumclaw.

Friday’s night’s kickoff comes at 7 p.m. It’s a home game for the Hornets who will look to defend their Arrow Lumber Stadium turf.