HS Football: Toledo's Hot Start Paves Way to Win in Adna

9/6/24

Toledo 35, Adna 7

(Adna, WA) A brand new season of high school football in Washington state kicked off on Friday night and two familiar foes opened up the season in the 2B classification. Although technically a non-league game due to the teams being in opposite divisions in the C2BL, both the Toledo Riverhawks and Adna Pirates came into their week one matchup with plenty of familiarity with one another. Toledo entered the season with aspirations of a deep playoff run in a top-heavy 2B classification while the very young Pirates looked to take a step forward in year two under head coach Aaron Cochran.

Toledo got the ball to begin the game and wasted no time finding their first points of the season, marching right down the field and finishing the drive with a seven-yard score for Carter Swafford. Adna’s first possession ended abruptly with a backwards pass recovered by Toledo for the game’s first turnover. Again it would be Swafford capitalizing on the great field position with another seven-yard score to make it 14-0 in the opening quarter. A three-and-out gave Toledo the ball at midfield and they showcased their passing attack as Eli Weeks found Trevin Gale for a 31-yard score to make it 21-0 still in the opening quarter.

Adna’s defense settled in after the 1st quarter. A Kannen Kephart interception gave Adna some momentum, but penalties consistently cost Adna any positive momentum in the first half. Luke Mohney and Jack Smith led the Pirate defense as the duo made some strong open field tackles to slow down the Riverhawks. They could only do so much though and Toledo wore down Adna late in the first half. With under 10 seconds left in the 2nd quarter, Carter Swafford made it three first half scores as he found the endzone from three-yards out, putting Toledo up 28-0 at halftime.

In the 3rd quarter, Toledo once again got the ball back quickly and moved the ball right down the field. Right when it looked like Toledo would add on to their lead, Cash Smith made a big play with an interception inside the 10-yard line. The return would get negated on a couple of penalties but the INT stood and gave Adna momentum again. This time, Toledo’s defense came through with some big stops to keep Adna off the board.

In their final drive of the 3rd quarter, Toledo had some issues getting in their own way. The Riverhawks survived a couple fourth down conversions but backed themselves up with penalties to 2nd and 32. After picking up five to make it 2nd and 27, Eli Weeks found Trevin Gale for 28 yards and a first down. Moving the ball inside the 10, Weeks showed off his strength with a hard fought nine-yard score to make it 35-0.

For Adna, they would end the game on a positive note. Sophomore quarterback Trevin Salme entered the game for Adna’s final drive and looked like he had played under Friday Night Lights many times before. Salme led the Pirates right down the field by going 3-4 for 34 yards including finding Kannen Kephart for a three-yard touchdown. Adna finally got on the board but it was too little too late. A couple of kneel downs would put a bow on week 1 as Toledo got an impressive 35-7 win over Adna.

Toledo earned a nice week 1 win to move to 1-0 while Adna starts the season 0-1. Toledo will next have their home opener next Friday when they host a strong Goldendale squad in a huge 2B game. Adna will hit the road for the first time as they visit Cle Elum-Roslyn also on Friday. Both games will kick-off at 7pm.

Our Thorbeckes MVP of the game went to Toledo’s running back Carter Swofford. Swofford led the Toledo defense but his offense was what separated him from the rest of the pack. Swofford ran the ball 15 times for 76 yards and three touchdowns while also catching a couple of passes for 44 yards. Swofford was just one of many playmakers for Toledo but he was the focal point of the offense and lived up to expectations.

Nathan Beaver also had a strong game for Toledo as he ran the ball seven times for 33 yards. Eli Weeks was a strong dual-threat QB as he ran the ball 11 times for 43 yards and a score and went 10-21 through the air for 178 yards and a score. Adam Kruger was his favorite receiver as Kruger hauled in five passes for 109 yards. Trevin Gale carried the ball twice and caught three passes for 68 total yards and a score.

For Adna, Kannen Kephart and Cash Smith both recorded interceptions and Kephart also had a three-yard touchdown catch. Beau Miller carried the ball 15 times for 30 yards and Luke Mohney tallied three carries for 13 yards and two catches for 16 yards. Through the air, Layden York went 4-10 for 23 yards and Trevin Salme went 3-4 for 34 yards and a score. Gavan Muller caught two passes for 21 yards, Grayson Humphrey had a 12-yard catch and Isaac Garman caught a five-yard pass.