BLAINE – It took a while, but the new stadium at Blaine High School was finally allowed to have a full capacity crowd. What didn’t take a while was the explosiveness of the Borderite passing game. The senior connection of quarterback Avery Dohner and wide receiver Jaxon Kortlever hooked up on touchdown passes of 57 and 49 yards in the first four minutes of the game, and Blaine went on to a 36-28 victory over Port Angeles on Friday night.
Dohner showed off his strong arm strength on the first touchdown pass, which saw Kortlever sprint past the defense to run under the ball and score. Kortlever showed his difference-making athletic ability on the second touchdown when he caught a quick slant and accelerated past the Rough Rider secondary.
Despite the fast start, Port Angeles was able to hang around, mostly because of big defensive plays. The Rough Riders returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
Port Angeles also had a chance late in the game, down by eight, but Kortlever tipped a pass at the goal line and it was intercepted by senior cornerback Scott Baldwin who was able to keep both feet in the end zone to secure the victory.
The offense was as balanced as it’s been in a while. In fact, last night was the first time since 2015 that Blaine had over 200 yards rushing, and 200 yards passing, in the same game.
The wealth was spread as well, as Dohner completed 8-of-19 passes for 212 yards, and senior Cole Thomas threw for 42 yards while scoring a touchdown on the ground. Thomas also connected with Dohner on a two-point conversion after the first touchdown of the game.
Junior running back Larry Creasey was able to rip off some big runs, and he finished with 131 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Senior Gabe Cranford toted the ball 15 times for 83 yards and a touchdown.
Baldwin’s receiving exploits allowed his team to move the chains multiple times as he caught a team-high seven passes for 92 yards, while Kortlever was the big-play threat, finishing with 142 yards receiving on just three receptions.
Defensively, senior defensive ends Alex Welch and Anden Holley, and senior middle linebacker Spencer Dalry, each had multiple tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Baldwin led the team with eight tackles to go along with his game-clinching interception, while Kortlever and senior Aiden Vezzetti also had interceptions.
The Borderites (1-0) will host Bellevue Christian on Friday night.
Port Angeles 28 Blaine 36 PA 7 7 6 8 - 28 BLA 15 14 7 0 - 36 BLA – Kortlever 57 pass from Dohner (Dohner pass from Thomas) BLA – Kortlever 49 pass from Dohner (King kick) PA – 17 yard interception return (kick good) BLA – Cranford 5 run (King kick) BLA – Creasey 17 run (King kick) PA – 7 yard touchdown run (kick good) BLA – Thomas 1 run (King kick) PA – 64 yard interception return (kick failed) PA – 49 yard touchdown run (2-pt good) PA BLA 35-189 Rushing Att-Yards 38-208 9-21-3 Comp-Att-Int 12-25-3 125 Passing yards 254 Individual Leaders RUSHING – PA: N/A. BLA: Creasey 14-131, Cranford 15-83, Thomas 5-4, Dohner 4-(-10). PASSING – PA: N/A. BLA: Dohner 8-19-3-212, Thomas 4-6-0-42. RECEIVING – PA: N/A. BLA: Baldwin 7-92, Kortlever 3-142, Ai. Holley 2-20.
