Fight cuts short Evergreen’s win over Fort Vancouver

A bench-clearing incident between players cut short the Evergreen vs. Fort Vancouver football game in the third quarter Friday night at McKenzie Stadium.

The brawl happened after the first possession of the third quarter in which Evergreen, leading 41-0, held Fort to six plays and forced the Trappers to punt.

As the ball was being returned, a fight broke out away from the play. Players from both teams came off the bench to join the fray. Coaches and referees got players apart and herded both teams off the field.

After meeting with the athletic directors from both schools the referees called the game with 7:10 to play in the third quarter.

After the players had been sent to the showers, both coaches were visibly disappointed.

Coach Terry Hyde of Evergreen simply stated, it was, “unfortunate.”

Coach Cal Szueber of Fort shared that he was, “Very disappointed. I hope the kids can use this as a learning experience of what you can’t do.”

Vancouver Public Schools director of athletics Alberto Alcantar issue this statement, which read in part:

“The behavior at tonight’s game between Fort Vancouver and Evergreen high school is unacceptable. It’s not tolerated in our schools, in our classrooms or on our athletic fields.

“The young people involved will be held accountable for their behavior. Students must take responsibility for their actions. Both school districts commit to work together on developing the character and sportsmanship that is expected of all people on and off the field. This is a teachable moment.”

Cale Piland, athletic director for the Evergreen Public Schools, issued a similar statement: “This will serve as a learning opportunity for our student athletes. We intend to use it to help everyone involved move forward in a positive and productive fashion.”

Evergreen started off the game with a 49-yard, 4-play touchdown drive capped off by a 27-yard scamper by Dustin Nettles.

During the first half, Evergreen moved the ball at will and the Plainsmen defense forced three turnovers.

Nettles scored two rushing touchdowns and ran for 74 -yards on eight carries. Tre Ratcliff also scored twice, a 12-yard run and 27-yard reception from Payton Monda.

Monda also threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Johathan Spiering. The defense scored a touchdown when Nadil Hodzic picked up the loose ball for a 36-yard fumble return.

Fort was intercepted twice, the first was a diving catch by David Crawford. The second interception happened when Sheaven Rhodes jumped in front of the Fort receiver for the take away.

EVERGREEN 41, FORT VANCOUVER 0

Fort Vancouver 0 0 0 x– 0

Evergreen 34 7 0 x–41

First quarter

E — Dustin Nettles 27 run (Killian Burris kick)

E — Nettles 4 run (Burris Kick)

E — Nadil Hodzic 36 interception return (Burris kick)

E — Tre Ratcliff 27 pass from Payton Monda (run failed)

E — Ratcliff 14 run (Burris kick)

Second quarter

E — Jonathan Spiering 26 pass from Monda (Burris kick)

Individual statistics

RUSHING — Fort Vancouver: Cruz Hoiman 5-23, Bobby Shephard 9-34, Erik Coppinger 4-(-43), T.J. Willinghmam 5-3, Jessse Graham 1-1. Evergreen: Dustin Nettles 8-74, Mason Channel 9-10, Payton Monda 1-3, Sheaven Rhodes 2-7, Tre Ratcliff 1-14.

PASSING — Fort Vancouver: Eric Coppinger 4-7-59. Evergreen: Monda 5-6-124.

RECEIVING — Fort Vancouver: Kyron Lowe-Ash 2-22, Johnny Green 1-23. Evergreen: Jonathan Spiering 2-82, Rhodes 1-10, Ratcliff 1-27.