The streak of tough loses continued for the Coupeville football team in Tacoma Friday night.
Despite out-gaining their opponents by over 100-yards on offense and taking a lead into the fourth quarter, the Wolves dropped their fourth straight non-league contest, 21-20, to Charles Wright Academy.
“We lost another close one,” head coach Ron Bagby said. “The good thing is they’re just non-league, the bad thing is we just need a win to gain some confidence.”
With six minutes remaining in the game, a 20-14 lead and possession of the ball, the Wolves were feeling fairly comfortable with their situation.
“We were pretty much controlling the game at that point,” Bagby said.
Then things started to fall apart. A fumbled snap, one of three fumbles on the night, and a 15-yard unsportsman-like conduct penalty forced Coupeville to punt the ball from their own end of the field.
“We had some real crucial penalties and fumbles,” Bagby said.
The Tarriers, who struggled with their offense at times Friday, received the ball over on their own 40 with five minutes left. Putting together their best drive of the game, Charles Wright marched down the field to the Coupeville 3-yard line. Running back Eric Gordon broke free for the Tarrier’s third rushing touchdown with one minute to go and with the extra point the Wolves were handed their fourth loss of the season.
“They put together a pretty nice drive,” Bagby said.
After allowing Charles Wright to take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, Coupeville countered with an impressive drive of their own. Mixing up their offense, the Wolves pounded the ball to the Tarrier 2-yard line. Sophomore quarterback Mike Bagby then connected with junior tight-end Andrew Moon for the touchdown. Senior kicker Bryan Harada missed the P.A.T., his first of two missed extra points on the night.
The Charles Wright offense, who rushed for 110-yards, successfully marched down the field just before the half. Another 3-yard rush, gave the Tarriers seven more points and a 14-6 halftime advantage.
The Wolves came out a more energized team in the second half, putting up two touchdowns in the third quarter. Mike Bagby rushed for 1-yard score, while he connected for a 15-yard strike to sophomore wide receiver Blake Day for the other.
Despite putting together 328 yards of total offense, opposed to the 203 of Charles Wright, the Wolves were unable to put Charles Wright away.
“We had a lot of opportunities, we just couldn’t get it done,” coach Bagby said.
Sophomore running back J.J. Marti highlighted the Coupeville offense, rushing for 190 yards on 22 carries.
Defensively, senior linebacker Casey Mitchell had 16 tackles, followed by senior defensive tackle Mike Daly with 12.
Coupeville, now 1-4, plays their first league contest of the year at 7:30 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 10 at Concrete.
Bagby knows facing the 4-1 Lions will be no easy task.
“They pound the ball inside on you real hard and we’re struggling there right now,” he said. “We know they’re going to challenge us right there.”
Charles Wright 21, Coupeville 20
Coupeville 6 0 14 0—20
Charles Wright 7 7 0 7—21
Charles Wright-3-yard run (Stewell kick good), Coupeville-Bagby 2-yard pass to Moon (kick failed), Charles Wright-Relgado 3-yard run (Sewell kick good), Coupeville-Bagby 1-yard run (two point conversion good Bagby run), Coupeville-Bagby 15-yard pass to Day (kick failed), Charles Wright-Gordon 3-yard run (Sewell kick good).
