In a battle of two winless teams, only one thing was at stake: pride.
Through a myriad of penalties and turnovers, Hudson’s Bay emerged victorious over Fort Vancouver for the Eagles’ first win of the season in a close contest.
Richard Carter’s 39-yard touchdown run and ensuing two-point conversion run in the middle of the third quarter were the only points needed to end a gloomy season on a high note. His touchdown was the Eagles’ first since Sept. 23.
“I didn’t even expect myself to stay up to be honest, I just ran,” Carter said, who finished with 113 yards on 25 carries. “It was just tunnel vision, that’s it.”
Carter was the lone bright spot for a Hudson’s Bay team that finished with 119 total yards, 10 penalties, and three turnovers on the night.
“A win is always great,” Hudson’s Bay coach Mike Funderburg said. “It was a pretty ugly game, but we’ll take it.”
The Eagles gave away a touchdown in the first quarter when Jordan Vela bolted into the backfield to knock down an Andrew Strappazon lateral, picked up the loose ball and ran it back 55 yards for a early 7-0 Trappers lead.
However, Fort Vancouver was unable to build off the momentum.
The Trappers stopped Hudson’s Bay next offensive possession by sacking Strappazon on fourth down on the Eagles’ 18. Trappers quarterback Jacob Austin had runs of 25, 16, 8 and another 8 yards to lead Fort Vancouver to the Eagle 8. They were unable to capitalize and missed a field goal.
The Eagles’ gutsy onside kick gave them first possession in the second half, but the drive ended four plays later with a punt. The Trappers turned the ball over on downs their next possession and Carter took the first play for a touchdown.
“Well, we finally got a break on a play,” Funderburg said. “We ran a fly and he got down there and scored and had a heck of a two-pointer, so, there’s no tomorrow. Our kids played great.”
Fort Vancouver had multiple chances to score in the second half, driving to the Eagles’ 14 in the middle of the fourth quarter only to turn the ball over on a fumbled snap.
Hudson’s Bay punted the ball back after a series that included two penalties and a fumbled snap of their own, but Jacob Buslach intercepted a Fort pass with under three minutes left to seal the Eagles’ victory.
“We stuck together and won the game that really, really mattered,” Carter said.
HUDSON’S BAY 8, FORT VANCOUVER 7
Hudson’s Bay 0 0 8 0—8
Fort Vancouver 7 0 0 0—7
First quarter
FV — Jordan Vela 55 fumble return (Logan Owings kick)
Third quarter
HB — Richard Carter 39 run (Carter run)
Individual statistics
Rushing — Hudson’s Bay — Carter 25-113, Jahmile Sipaia 8-32, Andrew Strappazon 3-(-21), Emilio Alcantar 4-(-6); Fort Vancouver — Jacob Austin 16-49, Vela 6-19.
Passing — Hudson’s Bay — Strappazon 0-1-0-0; Fort Vancouver — Austin 12-21-1-91.
Receiving — Hudson’s Bay — none; Fort Vancouver — Taylor VanHeck 5-59, Vela 2-20, Isaiah Miller 2-7, Gaquan White 1-5, Mario Avalos-Eyler 1-9, Deonte Hawkins 1-(-4).
