After an early-season cakewalk against the three worst teams in the South Central League, the Winlock football team aced its first real test of the season against Onalaska in Week 5, but that only made its Week 6 matchup even bigger — a duel of undefeateds between the Cardinals and Morton.
And the reigning league champs — who many thought would take a step or two back in ‘73 — cemented their hold atop the standings again, taking down the Huskies 14-6 in a game that featured 28 total fumbles and absolutely no style points.
“From an artistic standpoint it was a loser,” Winlock coach Dick Andrew said. “But we were happy to come out with a win.”
Both teams put the ball on the ground 14 times. Morton only lost three of its fumbles to Winlock’s six, but the Huskies also threw a pair of interceptions.
And after Morton star Mike Herron got loose for a 70-yard touchdown on the second play of the game, the Winlock defense held him in check the rest of the night.
The Cardinals struck back in the second quarter on an 8-yard Mike Davis run, and Davis plunged in the two-point conversion to make it 8-6 at the half. In the third quarter, Steve McGraw scored from a yard out to stretch the lead to eight points after the conversion attempt failed.
Morton got one last golden chance in the final minute, driving deep into Winlock territory, but the Cardinals forced one last fumble and recovered on their own 1-yard line to steal the win.
Stat of the Week
Adna held Wishkah to minus-46 yards in a 44-8 route
Quotable
“We’ve had to fight to prove to the local people that just because we’re in 8-man football doesn’t mean we’re not as manly as 11-man football players.” — Pe Ell coach Bill Berg, after a 12-6 win over Napavine.
Other scores
Shelton 25, Centralia 14
Chehalis 30, Tumwater 7
Onalaska 27, Tenino 0
Charles Wright 55, Rochester 12
Kalama 18, Toledo 6
Mossyrock 29, White Pass 8
Oakville 16, Rainier 15
Standings
Black Hills League (AA)
Shelton 4-0 6-0
Camas 4-0 5-1
Chehalis 3-1 4-2
Centralia 2-2 3-3
Timberline 1-3 2-4
Elma 1-3 2-4
Tumwater 0-4 2-4
South Central League (A)
Winlock 5-0 5-1
Morton 5-1 5-1
Mossyrock 4-1 4-2
Onalaska 4-1 4-1
Kalama 4-2 4-2
Toledo 2-4 2-4
Rochester 1-4 1-5
White Pass 0-5 0-6
Tenino 0-6 0-6
SWW 8-Man
Pe Ell 4-0 4-2
Quinault 4-0 4-1
Napavine 3-1 5-1
Oakville 2-2 2-4
Adna 2-2 2-4
Rainier 1-3 2-4
Boistfort 0-4 0-5
Wishkah 0-4 0-5
