TILLAMOOK – It was a battle for three quarters, but the Tillamook Cheesemakers kicked it into high gear in the fourth quarter, scoring three touchdowns in the final period on their way to a 35-10 win over Astoria Thursday night in Tillamook.

It was the Cowapa League opener for both teams, who came in with identical 1-3 records following nonleague play.

Tillamook junior Zach Munoz carried most of the load for the Cheesemakers as he gained 130 yards on 29 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Astoria was limited to just 66 yards on the ground and 136 total, while the Mooks racked up 351 yards in total offense.

The Cheesemakers were on the scoreboard early. Troy Jacobs hit Clayton Smith for a 69-yard touchdown on the third play from scrimmage. Cody Hyatt’s 19-yard field goal with 8:50 left in the second quarter gave Tillamook a 9-0 lead.

The Fishermen responded with a 13-play, 60-yard drive, capped by a 22-yard field goal from Kye Johnson, but Tillamook capped the first half with a 5-yard run by Munoz with 24 seconds left in the second quarter. Munoz had 82 yards on 18 carries in the first half.

Astoria rallied briefly, scoring on the second series of the third quarter, Keenan Borgardt running in from 1 yard out.

But Munoz answered with a 6-yard run for a 22-10 lead with 9:36 left in the game, and the Cheesemakers tacked on two insurance touchdowns – a 29-yard run by Zach Runkle and a 21-yard scoring jaunt by Blaise Bennett.

The Fishermen return home to host Seaside Oct. 15.

Banks 28, Seaside 27BANKS – Banks held off Seaside 28-27 in a Cowapa League football game Thursday night at Banks.

The Gulls trailed 21-6 at one point, as their second-half rally fell just short in the league opener for both teams. No other details were reported.

Knappa 29, Portland Christian 14KNAPPA – Still confident after their win at Warrenton last week, the Knappa Loggers improved to 2-1 in Northwest League play with a 29-14 victory over Portland Christian Thursday night.

The game was tied at 14 going into the fourth quarter, when Knappa’s Brandon Wing returned an interception 37 yards for a score, and the Loggers picked up two points on a safety for a 23-14 lead.

Sean Ferguson tacked on six points with a 3-yard run for the final score.

Wing led all ball carriers with 190 yards on 23 carries, which included a 75-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Trailing 7-0 in the second quarter, Ferguson tossed a 4-yard TD pass to Donald Pitts for the Loggers’ first score.

Portland Christian quarterback Charlie Antal completed 17-of-30 passes for 187 yards, but the Royals were held to 31 yards rushing on 27 carries, and minus-17 yards rushing in the second half.

The Loggers play at Clatskanie Oct. 15.

Warrenton 35, Neah-Kah-Nie 6ROCKAWAY BEACH – Warrenton jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead and cruised from there, posting a 35-6 Northwest League victory at Neah-Kah-Nie Thursday night.

Sophomore quarterback Eric Gantenbein completed 8-of-14 passes for 121 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Engebretson to open the scoring.

Shane Rudduck (11 carries, 95 yards) scored on a 4-yard run in the second quarter, and Gantenbein added a 1-yard TD run.

David Dyer caught a 15-yard touchdown toss and Dan Wolfe scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper in the fourth quarter to cap the night.

The Warriors host Riverdale Oct. 15.

Jewell 82, OSD 32SALEM – Randy Layman rushed for 167 yards on just 11 carries and scored four touchdowns Thursday afternoon, leading Jewell to an 82-32 Casco League win at Oregon School for the Deaf.

Zach Woods added four touchdowns on 127 yards rushing, and Bluejays’ quarterback Jake Johnston completed two passes, both for touchdowns.

Jewell led 54-12 at halftime. The Jays play at Falls City Oct. 15.

Napavine 53, Ilwaco 7ILWACO, Wash. – Markus Peterson’s 65-yard quarterback keeper late in the fourth quarter was the only score the Ilwaco Fishermen could manage Thursday night as visiting Napavine posted a 53-7 win over Ilwaco.

Napavine quarterback Loren Bluhm completed just six passes, but three went for touchdowns. Alex Tanori caught four passes for 96 yards, including a 54-yard scoring toss from Bluhm. Ilwaco hosts Kalama Oct. 15.

VolleyballCorbett def. KnappaKNAPPA – The winning streak is over for the Knappa Loggers, who lost their first dual match of the season Thursday night to a tough Corbett team.

The Cardinals swept the Loggers in three, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23, dropping Knappa to 7-1 overall, 4-1 in Northwest League play.

The Loggers play at De La Salle Tuesday.

Warrenton def. RiverdaleWARRENTON – The Warrenton volleyball team has won back-to-back matches for the first time this season, as the Warriors defeated Riverdale 19-25, 25-17, 25-12, 25-15.

Warrenton was coming off a four-game victory over Vernonia earlier in the week.

Whitney Johnson connected on 14-of-16 hits for six kills, and teammate Lesleann Hayward added five kills on 17-of-21 attacks.

Justine Marxer was Warrenton’s top server, hitting 13-of-14 serves.

The Warriors are scheduled to host Naselle Saturday.

Valley def. NaselleMENLO, Wash. – The Naselle Comets suffered their first league loss of the season Thursday night, as Willapa Valley won in four games, 25-22, 21-25, 25-20, 25-17.

Sylvia Herrold had six kills for Naselle in the loss, with Annie Herrold adding five kills.

The Naselle junior varsity swept Valley 25-16, 25-19, 15-12.

SoccerSeaside 0, Scappoose 0SCAPPOOSE – Less than a week after forcing a 0-0 tie with Astoria, the Scappoose boys soccer team held Seaside to a scoreless battle Thursday evening in Scappoose.

The Gulls had four corner kicks in the second half, but failed to convert.

Seaside takes a week off before hosting Wilsonville next Thursday.

Cross CountrySaari fifth at Valley meetMENLO, Wash. – The Naselle cross country team competed in a nine-team invitational Thursday at Willapa Valley, with Erin Saari highlighting the Comets’ day with a fifth-place finish in 25:52.

Teammate Narci Carlson placed seventh in 27:32. There were no complete girls’ teams competing.

Elma won the boys’ team title, while Naselle had three athletes running: Cory Teubner (28th, 23:35), Spencer Griss (30th, 23:55) and Garrick Bennett (43rd, 27:09).