The second quarter made all the difference Friday night, as the White River Hornets were throttled by Steilacoom.

The 61-17 loss dropped White River’s record to 1-7 overall, 1-5 in South Puget Sound League 2A play.

Friday’s road contest started well enough for the Hornets, who took a 3-0 lead when Alex Morris booted a 33-yard field goal.

After a Steilacoom touchdown, Justin Tidwell scored on a 6-yard run; when Morris tacked on the extra-point kick, the Hornets were on top 10-7.

Those good times were short-lived.

The Sentinels found the end zone five times during a second quarter that quickly went from bad to worse for White River. By the time halftime arrived, the Hornets trailed 41-10.

A 20-point third period pushed Steilacoom’s lead to 61-10. White River accounted for the game’s final TD when Ryan Redford scored on a short burst.

The regular season comes to an end this week when the Hornets travel to Orting (2-4 league, 4-4 overall).