Quarterback Neal Patching accounted for five total touchdowns, tailback Nolan Swofford scored four and Winlock put a bruising on visiting Republic, 48-0, on senior night Friday in non-league action.
Patching was 5 for 9 passing for 144 yards and three scores, and ran 18 times for 118 yards and two touchdowns as the Cardinals racked up 525 total yards of offense on the Tigers from Eastern Washington.
Swofford followed up a state-record, 10-touchdown performance last week by rushing 21 times for 141 yards and two scores, and hauling in two catches for 91 yards and two more TDs. Colin Regalado added a 30-yard touchdown reception.
As impressive as the Cardinals’ offense was, their defense was lights out, holding the Tigers to just 125 total yards of offense and five first downs.
“It was the best ball game we’ve played in two years,” Winlock coach Ernie Samples said. “We were so aggressive. We out-hit them. It was shocking.”
The Cardinals (7-1) are now on a five-game win streak and hope to take that momentum into the 1B District 4 playoffs where they host the No. 2 seed from the 1B SeaTac League at 7 p.m. on Friday. Their opponent will be the loser of Quilcene and Evergreen Lutheran, which is being played Saturday.
