PREP FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS:

By Pierre LaBossiere

Olympic Peninsula News Group

FORKS — The Forks Spartans are thriving in football since their move to 2B.

The Spartans qualified for the 2B State Football Playoffs with a big 40-14 win Saturday over Wahkiakum at Spartan Field.

“This is our first playoff win at Spartan Field in school history,” said coach Trevor Highfield.

Highfield said the difference in the game “was our seniors and our leadership. They play hard. They play as a family. They play for each other and the town. They’re having a good time, too.”

Nate Dahlgren had touchdown runs of 15 and 4 yards for the Spartans, while Logan Olson threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Kilmer and ran for a 12-yard touchdown.

Kilmer also had a 66-yard touchdown run and a 55-yard catch for Forks.

“He’s been nursing some injuries and we’re not using him on defense,” Highfield said. “I’m excited for him.”

In addition to the Spartans’ big play-making trio of Dahlgren, Kilmer and Olson, kids that played well for Forks were Austin Graham and Keaton Northcutt on the offensive line and defensive ends, according to Highfield.

“Both guys had a great game,” he said.

Forks was given a No. 10 seed in the state playoffs and will go on the road to play No. 7 seed Goldendale on Friday or Saturday in either Goldendale or a neutral site. Both teams have identical 7-1 records. Forks’ only loss this season has been to No. 2 state seed Napavine, which the Spartans would face if they beat Goldendale.