The City of Tumwater’s annual cross-town rival Pioneer Bowl football game easily went to visiting Tumwater 50-7 vs host A.G. West Black Hills Friday night October 22, 2021 at Sid Otton Field. Run-based Tumwater (5-2, (3-0 2A EVCO) was led by Senior Payton Hoyt who rushed for 60 yards and also threw a 30-yard touchdown throw. Tumwater Junior quarterback Alex Overbay threw for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
Black Hills (1-7, (1-4 2A EVCO) found victory in small wins including an early third down touchdown. TE Andre Byoune long trick play completion helped prepare the Wolves for their only score on the night.
Overbay threw seven times as the Tumwater’s run mentality offense opened their playbook a bit for passing targets including senior D1-signed tight ends Ryan Otton and Austin Terry. Otton scored on a 39-yard second-half touchdown after Terry caught a 68 Overbay throw earlier in the quarter. Not to be out done, senior wideout Seth Weller scored to close the second half on a beautiful over the shoulder 85-yard bomb completion to make the score 42-0 at half.
Tumwater Head Coach Bill Beatie was pleased with his team’s performance. “We set a goal to come out fast and get after them and play our type of football in the first half, and our kids rose to that challenge and I was really proud of the way they came out that first half,” stated Beatie.
Tumwater takes on Centralia next week in Tenino and then most likely will host a first round cross-over playoff game against a lower seed from the Greater St. Helens league to the South November 5 or 6 at Tumwater District Stadium.
“We are excited as we move forward and prepare for the playoffs but our opponent right now is ourselves. We look at how we can get better each week and get better for the next week and hopefully that will take us for a long run,” coach Beatie remarked.
For first year Black Hills Head Coach Garrett Baldwin, the night proved to have moments for him to be proud of his team. “It was a tough one. We were clearly outmatched and that is a really good football team there but our guys fought hard and didn’t give up,” Baldwin declared after the game.
“At the end of the day I’m proud of my team and how they battled,” he added. “We are trying to build something new and change the football culture here at Black Hills and we have a great core group here to build off for our future.”
Black Hills hosts WF West at home next week Friday at 7 p.m. in Tumwater to close the season.
