Tenino Runs Wild Against Klahowya at Lumen Field

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SEATTLE — Making the trip north from Stone City to the Emerald City, the Tenino football team ran wild in a 62-14 non-league victory over Klahowya Saturday afternoon under the bright lights of Lumen Field. 

It was a return to the run game dominance that the Beavers (3-0) experienced last year, and worked to get back into a rhythm after a slow start Week 1 against Pe Ell-Willapa Valley on the road. 

With minimal exchange issues, a dominant performance in the trenches, and a 200-yard rushing performance from senior Dylan Spicer, the Beavs weren’t phased at all by the bigger venue. 

“It felt great,” Spicer said. “I don’t know how to explain it, I never thought I would play here, it’s so cool. My line did such a good job this game, they really stepped it up and made great holes for me.”

Spicer was the headliner, rushing for 200 yards and scoring three touchdowns, all in the first quarter. Cody Strawn added a score in the second quarter, Tristan Whitaker got into the end zone, Randy Marti and Michael Lanning rumbled in scores in the third quarter, and Tyler Minerich capped it with a short score in the fourth. 

Almost every Beaver had a chance to play on the turf the Seattle Seahawks call their home. 

“It's a good experience for the boys,” Beavers coach Cary Nagel said. “They work extremely hard and they were really excited about coming here. I’m excited for the community and I’m excited that the boys got to play.”

On the defensive end, Tenino allowed a Klahowya score on its very first possession, but otherwise held the Eagles in check when its varsity defense was on the field. The Eagles ran for negative yardage, and picked up 156 yards through the air with two interceptions by Lanning and Lucas Watterson. 

But like always with the Beavs, it started up front in the trenches. Spicer credited his big day on the ground to the holes his offensive line opened up for him, and the Beaver D-line sacked Klahowya’s quarterback six times. 

“Dylan’s due for a bigger game, he carried us in the first half,” Nagel said. “Our line did a fantastic job moving the guys the way they were supposed to move them. It was a good day for them.”

The Beavers will look to keep it rolling against Onalaska next week in another non-league contest, but not before enjoying a big win at maybe the largest venue they will play at in their lives. 

“It’s amazing,” Spicer said. “I don’t have words to explain it, it's such a cool opportunity.”