PUYALLUP, Wash. – Pacific Football concluded the 2022 season with a solid victory 18-7 victory over hosts Pacific Lutheran. The Boxers' defense was outstanding on Saturday afternoon, holding the Lutes to just four rushing yards while forcing six turnovers.
It was a defensive battle with only three touchdowns between the two teams. Pacific managed just 91 total yards through the air but totaled 153 yards on the ground. Forest Grove's team was extremely effective in stopping the run, allowing only four net rushing yards.
Top Performers
- Brody Bantolina capped off his freshman season with an excellent game at running, posting a touchdown with 85 yards on 14 carries.
- Zion Booker and Sancho Eskridge each tallied an interception in the contest. Booker recorded his third pick of the year, which brings him into a tie for the most interceptions in the NWC.
- Hunter Brown racked up a game-high 11 tackles.
- Deshayne Stevens and Robert Wood each came up with a forced fumble while combining for 1.5 sacks on the day.
How It Happened
Tyler Vargas opened the contest with a 54-yard kickoff return to give his offense some solid field position. The Boxers' opening drive stalled after three plays but punter
Caden Almer showed off his speed and scampered for a first down on the fake punt to keep the drive alive. Almer would later convert a 37-yard field goal to give Pacific an early 3-0 lead.
The Boxers' defense set the offense up with good field position yet again when
Rustin Williams pounced on a fumble. However, the Lutes would come up with an interception in the end zone on the ensuing possession to bring Pacific's attempt to extend the lead to an abrupt end.
Almer knocked another one through the uprights to give his team a six-point advantage, but just before the half, Pacific Lutheran blocked a punt to set themselves up for an easy score. The hosts would manage to capitalize on the opportunity and took a 7-6 lead into the break.
The Red and Black forced a punt on the Lutes' first possession of the second half and Pacific quickly marched down the field and put three points on the board to regain the lead.
The defense started to flex their muscles on the next PLU possession when Stevens sacked the quarterback in the end zone to make the score 11-7. Eskridge came up with a huge interception on the next drive, but Pacific was unable to capitalize after Almer missed the 38-yard field goal attempt.
It was Stevens who produced another big play for his team on the next possession, getting some pressure on the quarterback to come up with the strip-sack.
This time, Pacific's offense pulled their weight when Bantolina ran for a 28-yard touchdown to make it a two-score game. The Boxers' defense held strong for the remainder of the contest to earn the 18-7 victory on the road.
What It Means
Pacific finishes the season with a 5-4 overall record (4-3 NWC) and fourth in the NWC standings
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