Prep football: Kelso 12, Hudson’s Bay 6

In the past 17 matchups between these two teams, Kelso has come away with 17 victories.

Early on it seemed the curse would be broken. The Eagle’s defense was intense and the running game was strong.

Hudson Bay’s Richard Carter IV ran the team’s first play for 62 yards and a touchdown. But the Eagles couldn’t muster any more offense in a 12-6 loss the Hilanders Friday at Kiggins Bowl.

Carter had a 66-yard run on Bay’s second possession, but the Eagles were unable to turn that drive into points.

Both sides failed to gain any ground until early in the second quarter when Kelso’s Slate Miller found his groove. The senior fullback ran for 16 yards, knotting the score at 6-6 after a missed extra point.

The score remained tied until late in the third quarter when Kelso broke out a 54-yard touchdown run on fourth-an-one by Taylor Radcliffe, making it 12-6.

Kelso killed the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter with their outstanding run game and clock management, failing to score and turning the ball over on downs.

Hanley’s next pass was intercepted by Miller yet again, giving the ball back to Kelso with just under five minutes remaining.

The Eagle defense was determined, allowing only five yards on the drive and giving the offense another shot to snatch victory and snap the curse.

On their final possession, Bay gained 37 yards on three plays. But on fourth-and-17, they ran a double-reverse Hail Mary attempt, when Slate Miller intercepted his third pass of the game.

Carter finished with 162 yards on 13 carries.

Next up: Hudson’s Bay vs. Battle Ground; Kelso vs. Union

Kelso 0 6 6 0—12

Hudson’s Bay 6 0 0 0— 6

First quarter

HB — Richard Carter 62 run (kick failed)

Second quarter

Kel — Slate Miller 16 run (kick failed)

Third quarter

Kel — Taylor Radcliffe 54 run, run failed

Individual statistics

Rushing — Kelso — Taylor Radcliffe 17-130, Slate Miller 15-58, Trevor Feeney 5-13, Corbin Sims 5-11, Tyler Covel 3-7, Chauncey Goudy 3-5, Aaaron Adams 3-1; Bay — Richard Carter 13-162, Ane Sipaia 8-46, Emilio Alcantar 4-6, Jai Girod 1-2, Robert Hanley 1-7, Josh Friedli 2-10.

Passing — Kelso: Sims 0-1-0-0; Bay: Hanley 3-9-3-26.

Receiving — Kelso — none; Bay: Friedli 1-10, Alcantar 2-16.