Peninsula smashes Auburn, 48-7

Seahawks defense holds Lions to 119 yards of total offense

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

It proved to be another lopsided high school football game Friday night when the Peninsula Seahawks dismantled the Auburn Mountainview Lions 48-7 in Class 3A South Puget Sound League play at Roy Anderson Field.

Peninsula’s victory realigned the team’s direction after it was thumped by Lakes two weeks ago. The Seahawks’ only miscue came on a fumbled punt return, which led to the Lions’ only score by senior quarterback Cody McNeil.

For a brief moment, the Seahawks (2-1 overall and league) trailed, 7-3.

But with 11:47 left in the second quarter, Peninsula senior quarterback JR Grosshans threw a 78-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Jonny Johnson and helped Peninsula regain control, 10-7.

The Seahawks added two more touchdowns before the half on a pair of scrambles by Grosshans, who dove over the pile for a 4-yard score to give his team a 24-7 lead.

Grosshans finished 8-for-11 passing for 196 yards and two touchdowns (78, 3). He also ran for two scores, including a 39-yarder.

Peninsula head coach Ross Filkins said it wasn’t perfect, but the Seahawks’ effort was much improved.

“It was good to come out and get that loving feeling back,” Filkins said. “I thought the guys came out and competed really hard.”

Peninsula senior running back/linebacker Al Rasmussen led the ground attack. He finished with 77 yards and two touchdowns, including a 48-yard run with 11:48 remaining in the game.

After that early Lions touchdown, Peninsula scored 45 unanswered points. Seahawks senior cornerback Marshall Banks said his team dominated.

“The first quarter we were going a little slow,” he said. “Our momentum was down because they got some yards. But the second quarter, it picked up, and (it was a) snowball effect from there.”

The output by both offensives spelled domination, too. Peninsula out gained Auburn Mountainview 400-119.

McNeil, under pressure for most of the night, from Peninsula’s defensive front, finished 11-for-20 passing for 79 yards.

Peninsula’s defense, which allowed just 39 rushing yards, forced an interception and a fumble. The Lions committed three turnovers to Peninsula’s one.

Peninsula senior linebacker Alan Wheat said the defense really stepped up.

“Last week (against Lakes), we were a little timid, and this week we came out and showed what Seahawks football is all about,” he said.

PHS to host Clover Park

The Peninsula Seahawks will host the Clover Park Warriors at 7 p.m. Friday at Roy Anderson Field.