09-14-2022- The Clover Park Timberwolves (0-1) look to defeat longtime conference foe the White River Hornets (1-1) in  the 2A SPSL conference opener from Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood on Thursday night.  Both teams are post-season hopefuls in in the SPSL, and feel this is a winnable and important game for their respective squads.

After a 3-6 season a year ago, Clover Park is 0-1 in 2022 after a hard-fought loss to Lindbergh in the season opener two weeks ago, where the Timberwolves showed a lot of promise on both sides of the ball. The Timberwolves forced 3 interceptions in the loss,  2 by Jaeden Daniels and 1 by his cousin Zakai Abdullah. Both of those players can make an impact onboth offense and defense, with Abdullah being one of the fastest athletes in 2A (7th in 100 M at 2A state track as sophomore)

The Timberwolves have other playmakers as well in receiver Marc Semuda who has a touchdown this season, WR-LB Isaac Lavelle and Deshaun Castro and Tyger Willingham who are the primary ball carriers for CP. Veteran Sione Pe`a will be the signal caller and Kevin Parker could get snaps at QB as well. Senior Richard Iaulualo is a team captain that starts both ways as tight end and linebacker and plays an important leadership role for the Timberwolves.

Clover Park had their week 2 game last Saturday against Life Christian Academy postponed, and now face White River that went 4-6 in 2022 and 3-4 in SPSL. White River The Hornets are 1-1 to start the season after a 21-20 OT victory over 3A Capital in week 1, then a 34-7 loss last week against Shelton.

The Hornets are led by Jacob Rennaker, who was the top tight-end in the SPSL  a year ago as the lone 1^st team SPSL selection for White River as a Sophomore. Now as a Junior, he takes over as QB after Cole Cashman graduated and is a QB for Sterling College in Kansas.

Through 2 games, Rennaker has thrown 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, completing 14-29 passes for 160 yards. He is also their leading rusher with a touchdown on 25 carries, 51 yard. Tyce Donovan and Kouri Lewis are the top receiving threats, with Donovan having the only receiving TD for the team and Lewis is 2^nd on team in receptions with 3. On defense, Chase Campbell leads the Hornets in tackles from his middle linebacker position.

Series History between WR and CP: White River won last years meeting, 27-14 in Buckley. White River has won the last 8 meetings in the series, last win for Clover Park was in 2010, Senior year of WSU linebacker Tana Pritchard (12-13).  White River leads series 11-2 since MaxPreps began data collection in 2004.

Head Coaches: Jason Nikolao is in his 3^rd season as Head Coach at Clover Park, after he replaced longtime Head Coach Jonathan “Taz” Randle. “Taz” was HC for 17 seasons. Nikolao is a Clover Park alum, class of 1997 and starred at the University of Oregon as a defensive lineman.The Head Coach of White River is Kenny Pirone, who began as an assistant in 2011 for the Hornets, and is in his 4^th season as head coach.

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Kickoff is at 7 pm, 6:45 pregame show with Alex Benzegala and Matt King.