Forks rolls past Neah Bay as Hernandez accounts for 6 TDs

September 14, 2023 1:30 am
Forks’ Gunner Rogers in route to a TD. Also In the action are Spartan Landen Olson (10) Red Devils Josh Greene (9), Seactis Woodruff (32), and CJ Halttunen (12). Photo by Lonnie Archibald
Forks’ Gunner Rogers in route to a TD. Also In the action are Spartan Landen Olson (10) Red Devils Josh Greene (9), Seactis Woodruff (32), and CJ Halttunen (12). Photo by Lonnie Archibald

By Michael Carman

Olympic Peninsula News Group

Freshman Bubba Hernandez returned the opening kickoff 78 yards and threw five first-half touchdown passes as Forks rolled out to a huge halftime lead on the way to a 49-16 win over Neah Bay on Friday night at Spartan Stadium.

“Walker Wheeler and Kade Highfield made a couple of blocks to spring him,” Highfield said.

Walker Rondeau intercepted a Red Devils pass on their first possession to set up another score.

“We had pretty good field position and we got some good runs by tailback Landin Davis to get in close,” Highfield said.

Hernandez found Gunner Rogers from 10-yards out for a 14-0 lead.

Wheeler came through with a big sack on fourth down to stop Neah Bay’s next drive.

Brody Lausche hauled in a 15-yard pass from Hernandez for a 21-0 lead after one quarter.

DeAnthony Davila added a 45-yard reception and capped off the next Forks drive with a 30-yard TD catch to go up 27-0.

“We had 351 yards of total offense in the first half,” Highfield said

Hernandez found Landen Olson for a 30-yard TD catch and hit Lausche on a 9-yard scoring connection after a Rogers interception for a 41-0 lead.

Davila intercepted another Neah Bay pass late in the second quarter and Rogers found the end zone on a 40-yard hook-up with Hernandez.

“Our offensive line group was outstanding,” Highfield said.

“It’s neat we have Landin, Landen, Brody, Gunner, DeAnthony, so many weapons in our pass game.

“And Bubba is a real weapon running the option. He’s not just using his athletic ability, he’s making the right reads in our run and pass games.”

Forks also paid tribute to classmate Garrett Dulin, killed in an auto accident last week.

“DeAnthony and Sawyer Graham headed up the leadership for us,” Highfield said. “They carried his youth league football jersey out to the middle of the field and we had a moment of silence as a team and we had his jersey behind us on the bleacher, so he was there with us. And our players made tributes to him. Impressed with our guys’ reverence.

Other scores

Clallam Bay 37, Wishkah Valley 14

Spartans Daniel Ferreyra (62) and Walker Wheeler (63) bring down Neah Bays’ Josh Greene. Photo by Lonnie Archibald

Spartans Daniel Ferreyra (62) and Walker Wheeler (63) bring down Neah Bays’ Josh Greene. Photo by Lonnie Archibald