2B Prep Football: Onalaska runs wild over Ilwaco in playoff opener

‘Blaze’ a Trail — Underhilll runs for 3 TDs in Loggers’ 67-0 win over Fishermen

Onalaska’s Brodey Triana runs the ball during a 2B football playoff crrossover game against Ilwaco at Onalaska Memorial Stadium, Friday, Nov. 8. — Ridley Hudson / The Chronicle

Jordan Nailon / blastzonenews@gmail.com

ONALASKA — Four years ago when Ilwaco made the crossover round of the playoffs the Fishermen celebrated amongst themselves and then quietly called into the District IV command center and registered a forfeit instead of going toe to toe with the toughest team Southwest Washington had to offer. 

One election cycle later and those Fishermen are nearly all grown up now, and they were ready to take their lumps and get on with life this time around. It was rarely comfortable, and it’s sure to hurt in the morning, but Ilwaco can hold its collective head a little bit higher this time around knowing they put their noggins on the line in Gritville, USA before absorbing every punishing block, hit and tackle the Loggers could throw at them in a 67-0 loss in the opening round of the playoffs, Friday, at Onalaska Memorial Stadium.

The Loggers haven’t said it out loud yet, but their goal this season is to bring home some new State hardware for the trophy case. And in the aftermath of a game where they reached mercy rule running clock territory with a 40 point lead with eight minutes left before halftime, those staggering expectations were clear as day.

“I think our first offensive series (Ilwaco) played really, really well. We punted away and the boys didn’t cover it so it went for a touchback,” Onalaska coach Mazen Saade said. “When they came off we just had a talk with the linemen and asked them, ‘Hey, did you come to play today, or what?’ And they turned it up a bit.”

Onalaska head coach Mazen Saade talks to players during a 2B football playoff crossover game against Ilwaco at Onalaska Memorial Stadium, Friday, Nov. 8. — Ridley Hudson / The Chronicle

Turned it up a bit, indeed. By the end of the contest the Loggers had outgained their guests 517-66 in total yards. The Loggers also forced two fumbles and recovered one, while Sam Pannkuk reeled in an interception.

“I thought our defense was lights out and took things away,” Saade said.

On the flip side, that output for the home team included a staggering output of 259 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just four touches early in the contest for senior Blaze Underhill.

Onalaska’s Blaze Hunderhill leads the charge onto the field during a 2B Crossover game against Ilwaco at Onalaska Memorial Stadium, Friday, Nov. 8. —Ridley Hudson / The Chronicle

“It was nice to see other guys get involved in what we do,” Saade said.

Of course, Underhill wasn’t the only Logger to rumble in their postseason welcome party. Rodrigo Rodriguez added 164 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. That output included one 85 yard scamper that saw Rodriguez zig all the way to the grandstand sideline before zagging to the darkest corner of the field untouched for a touchdown.