Traveling Hyaks blank Toutle Lake

North Beach improves to 2-1

TOUTLE — Scoreless after three quarters, this non-league contest turned when North Beach put together two sustained, clock-eating drives in the fourth quarter en route to the victory over Toutle Lake on Friday night.

After getting the ball following a Ducks punt in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter, the Hyaks marched 85 yards on 16 plays for the first touchdown of the game — a 7-yard scoring run by Tavo Muro. On the ensuing kickoff, Toutle Lake fumbled and North Beach recovered.

Nine plays and 50 yards later, Muro ran in from 15 yards out for the final touchdown of the game. Muro ran for 103 yards on 13 carries and two scores, while Marcus Pope led the Hyaks (2-1) with 168 yards on 33 carries.

“We have young kids who are maturing,” North Beach head coach Todd Bridge said. “We had three turnovers in the first half. With the 2 1/2-hour bus ride, we started playing football after halftime. Coming back at halftime after struggling, we began playing Hyak football. There are very positive signs. They’ll be ready to go by the time league play begins.”

Pope, offensive lineman Diego Gonzalez and nose guard Seth Bridge were cited for their overall contributions for the Hyaks, who had four turnovers lost and a minus-3 turnover margin in the contest.

On Friday, North Beach stays home to take on Kalama.