Clover Park Football: Hornets Sting Warriors, 42-15

The Clover Park Warriors were out-rushed by White River in a 42-15 South Puget Sound League 2A loss Friday night at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood on senior night.

The Warriors struggled to move the ball in the first half. Every offensive possession stalled. They mustered just 110 yards of rushing compared to White River's 326. Neither team effectively threw the ball on a cold and rainy evening.

It was a battle between two run-heavy offenses and the Hornets dominated.

DeShaun Green, their starting tailback, suffered an ankle injury last week against Washington and did not play. Cordel Nelson took his place, carrying the ball 37 times for a game-high 142 yards and a touchdown.

But the Warriors averaged just 2.4 yards per carry while the Hornets averaged 11.2, respectively. White River's defense held strong throughout the contest.

White River (6-2 overall, 5-1 league) jumped on Clover Park (2-6 overall, 2-4 league) early. Hornets senior Josh Miller scored on a 1-yard plunge with 4 minutes, 37 seconds in the first quarter. Then White River sophomore Garret Quiles scored on a 39 yard run followed by a 1 yard sneak by junior quarterback Zach McMillen.

The score was 21-0 at halftime.

But the Warriors came out a different team in the second half.

A 46 yard catch by DeShawn Johnson set up a 2 yard plunge by Nelson, 21-7. Then the Warriors recovered an onside kick. They had a chance to cut the deficit to one possession.

But the offense stalled again and White River extended its lead when Quiles scored on a 40 yard inside counter run, giving the Hornets a 28-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. Quiles carried the ball five times for a team-high 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

With the game in White River's hands, Clover Park senior Bret Dulay broke a couple tackles and sprinted to the end zone for a 63 yard touchdown on a pass from J'Maka Love, 42-15.

Clover Park lost two fumbles and threw two interceptions. White River lost just one fumble and threw zero interceptions.

The Warriors play their final game on the road against Steilacoom at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28. They will not advance to the playoffs.