Olympia’s experience outlasts Gig Harbor’s spread offense

Tides show positive signs in first game but fall to favored Bears in second half

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

There wasn’t enough offensive production in the Gig Harbor Tides’ new spread attack to defeat the Olympia Bears in a Class 4A Narrows League football game Friday night.

Olympia beat Gig Harbor 21-7 in the Tides’ season opener and shut out Gig Harbor in the second half.

The Tides made a strong effort to synchronize their new offense against a veteran core of Bears.

In the second quarter, Bears quarterback Willie Willard threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Maguire for a 6-0 lead, but the Tides responded.

Gig Harbor senior quarterback Chet Thompson helped his team drive down the field and running back Jeff Filmer ran the ball in from the goal line with 5:41 to play in the half to give the Tides a 7-6 lead.

It was the best drive of the game for Gig Harbor (0-1 league and overall), and the Bears (1-0) made more adjustments in the second half.

Olympia’s defense didn’t allow any big plays and contained both Thompson and the Tides’ running game. At halftime, the Tides had just 50 yards on the ground despite the efforts of Nico Youngren, who picked up 30 yards on 11 attempts.

Thompson and the Tides opened up the passing game on many third-and-long plays, but he had a rough time finding an open receiver in a shotgun formation with constant pressure coming from up the middle.

Thompson connected on nine passes for 105 yards.

“Having a new offense is always tough,” Thompson said. “We did pretty decent for the first time.”

The Tides saw an opportunity in the fourth quarter to trim the lead to one possession, but Gig Harbor fumbled the ball following a reception and the Bears took advantage, driving down the field and connecting on a 16-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach.

Thompson said he learned a lot about the new offense.

“I learned about what to expect and what not to throw,” he said. “I think we adapted later in the second half, we just couldn’t come out with a score.”

Gig Harbor head coach Darren McKay said the Tides’ offense showed signs of what they’re capable of.

“Until you do it for four quarters, you don’t really know,” he said.

Gig Harbor forced Olympia to two key fourth downs, but the Tides were unable to make a stop.

“If we make the play, we’re off the field,” McKay said.

Gig Harbor will host Bellarmine Prep at 7 p.m. Friday at Roy Anderson Field.

Reach Sports Editor Marques Hunter at 253-853-9224 or send an e-mail to marques.hunter@gateline.com.