The Rainier football team won its first season-opener since 2019 on Friday, storming back after falling behind late to beat Wahkiakum 34-29 in Cathlamet, in a game between SWW 2B West Division foes that was counted as a non-league game.
The Mules took a 29-28 lead with 29 seconds to go in regulation, giving the ball back to the Mountaineers (1-0) at the 45-yard line with little time to work with, but Rainier went to work, and Jake Meldrum plunged in from a yard out with a second left for the go-ahead touchdown.
Meldrum finished with 93 yards on the ground, and went 6 for 15 through the air for 112 passing yards.
Hunter Howell finished with 157 total yards on 15 rushes and four receptions, Chris Grey had 41 rushing yards, and Josh Meldrum caught two passes from his brother for 55 yards.
Rainier is set to head south next week to play at Toledo.
