Undersized and outmatched, the No. 3 Pe Ell-Willapa Valley fell to No. 2 Okanogan in the 2B state semifinals, 42-14, Saturday at the Apple Bowl in Wenatchee.
The Titans had a chance early to keep up with the Bulldogs, driving late in the first quarter, down 14-0, driving all the way down to the goal line before stalling and turning it over on downs on the 1-yard line. Okanogan then went down the field and took a 21-0 lead into the half, which turned out to be an insurmountable lead.
PWV tacked on two scores in the fourth quarter when it was a bit too little, too late, with Kolten Fluke punching in a one-yard score and then finding Kannyon Clements to round out the Titans’ scoring.
Fluke had a monster defensive game for PWV, tallying 18 tackles, with Blake Howard adding nine solo tackles and a pick, and Derek Fluke recovering a fumble with 10 tackles.
Kolten Fluke had 118 passing yards on 8 for 19 passing with a touchdown and an interception, with three of those passes going to Derek for 86 yards.
Okanogan was led by quarterback Carter Kuchenbuch’s 16 for 27 passing line for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Johnny Swartsel added 118 rushing yards with two scores.
The loss ends the Titans season in the semis, the furthest PWV has reached as a program since 2015, while the Bulldogs take on No. 1 Napavine next week in the state title game.
